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Lian B.

I've came here for my birthday and I must say this is an amazing place. The food was good we had the filet mignon with whole lobster, lobster bisque, lamb pasta, escargot stuffed mushrooms, and coconut cremè brûlée. The food was very savory was very good. Staff waited on us and came to us so many times. Our drinking glasses were always full and so were our bellies when we left. The view is quiet beautiful because you see the diamond head and beach. The bathrooms were so nice with its own bottom cleansing spray. I would recommend anyone to come here.

Nathan K.

We had a guest who's from San Francisco here and we took him to much at this restaurant. It was a good pick. We loved everything about it. The location, food, service, ambiance, and view was just great. This is the area where the John Dominis Restaurant was. It's replaced with a totally different restaurant and a good one.

Mary C.

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Midori C.

The food was really excellent except my fillet mignon was a tad well done. The escargot was superb, the shrimp scampi was delicious, the lasagna was perfect and the fruitti dimare was very tasteful. We were all very happy and satisfied with our food. The service we received were fantastic. We had Beckie and Beldon. They really took care of us and made sure we are having a great experience. Beckie was very pleasant, helpful and sweet. You definitely want her to take care of you. I will definitely go back again and also recommend friends to come here.

Rob T.

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Lei N.

Birthday lunch (October 2014) My mom planned the lunch during the week since we were all free. Valet parking. Such a gorgeous place, inside and out. We were seated near the window, but majority of the tables had a window view. My brother and I were curious and a waitress allowed us to go outside ( instagram.com/p/t8lAXKHt… ). Our lunch was a three course meal: Starters: instagram.com/p/t8mbuQHt… They were all interesting and each should be eaten as is or you'll be missing out! Entree: instagram.com/p/t8oxQ2nt… I wish I had some mashed potatoes. Brother's: instagram.com/p/t8o67Ont… his was expensive! Birthday dessert: instagram.com/p/t8t5yknt… Since it was my birthday, the dessert plate had more than what they would usually give. No I'm not 53. The strawberry cheesecake and ice cream, SO GOOD. Attire: not a jeans and tank top place. Servers: explained our dishes as they came. For a place like this, I thought their dishes would be much more pricey, but some weren't. Wouldn't recommend bringing children, since other customers probably come here for the peace and quiet with good company. After lunch, as we waited for our car, I guess the valet guys noticed us taking pictures of the place and offered to take our photos for us. How nice. Celebrate your birthday at 53 by the Sea ;)

Jason Q.

My wife and I chose 53 By the Sea to celebrate our wedding anniversary. When you enter the drive way, the building itself is very impressive and only gets more impressive when you enter the lobby. I would say this is the most elegant and impressive designed restaurant in Hawaii. Every table has an amazing view of Diamond Head. We had a bench seat which was cozy and comfortable. Just sitting in the restaurant, we were looking forward to our meal. We ordered a Caseser salad, and Froie Grois to start, and then both decided to order the Rib Eye and Lobster. Up to now, everything was perfect.....and than the food came. The lobster was well presented and looked delicious. And than my wife and I discovered that we couldn't cut it. It was so overcooked it was rubber. Twice while trying to cut it, it slipped off my plate. I thought maybe the lobster was trying to find its way back into the ocean. Unfortunately, the steak was no better. It was cooked to the right temperture, but the meat was tough. It was just shy of being considered beef jerky. The steak was only 6oz, but so bad that I only ate half. Now, the table next to us ordered the fish and they both commented that they loved their selection. Maybe the Catch of the Day is the way to go.

Anson H.

Once you past the Homeless camp in Kaka'ako you'll pull up to this Mansion of a restaurant. Greeted by a good valet service team we walked inside. The view is Great and watching the surf and surfers is a plus. We started off with the braised short ribs and crab cakes. They both were pretty good. For our entree, The Other half ordered the lamb chops and I had the fish. It was Monchong and it was prepared very simple with garlic butter and little bit oil. She didn't care for the lamb chops. It was cooked perfectly but not too much flavor. We compared our food to Ruth's Chris and we would rather dine there. The service was top notch. We finished our dinner before the fireworks show but they kindly gave us a table outside to wait and watch the show.

Kit W.

Like a castle out of a fairy tale, 53 By the Sea is stunningly elegant with a grand staircase, chandeliers, and floor to ceiling windows with breathtaking waterfront views of Diamond Head and Waikiki. I was duly charmed and could totally understand why so many choose to come here for special occasions! A friend told me about the relatively new happy hour offered here so this review is solely for their happy hour. 53 By the Sea offers happy hour daily from 4-6:30 PM in their bar lounge. There is plenty of seating--about eight tables outdoors, at least four tables indoors, and numerous seats at the bar. My friend and I got here around 4:30 PM on a Friday and were the first ones there (we thought seating was limited so we hurried over haha). For drinks, we went with cocktails--the Garden Lemonade and the Royal Pink Petal. Both were so utterly delightful--the cucumber vodka in the Garden Lemonade was deliciously refreshing and the Royal Pink Petal was a great choice. Bar food menu is 50% off during happy hour so that was awesome! We went with the Cayenne Calamari, Spinach Shimeji Mushroom Gratin, and Ahi Tataki. The calamari was not really spicy but came with a nice lemonade dip. My friend did not like that it did not come out hot or at least warm. The spinach mushroom gratin did though and was soooo good! The ahi tataki was incredibly mini...taste was fine but it was just so mini haha. Check out my pictures if you are interested in perusing the bar drinks and food menu! I don't think a lot of people know about the happy hour here yet so I hope my review will help spread the word! I had a great time overall and look forward to returning for more!

Liane C.

You pull up to a beautiful house and you won't believe this was the old John Dominis. Then you walk inside and what a outstanding view. Any where you sit, you will have the view of Diamond Head. The menu has a variety of choices where it's a good idea to share. Love this place for date night.

Jane L.

I was quite impressed with the beautiful view, ambiance and how clean the restaurant is, although the service was not what I expected. Free Valet parking but you should tip, service was quick for this. We arrived around 1115 and we were greeted right away when we entered and since we had reservations at 1130 we were seated quickly and waited for the rest of our party to arrive. They pulled out our chairs and put our napkins on on lap. They asked us what we would like to drink and we ordered the plantation iced tea (best plantation iced tea I've ever had) although it took over ten minutes to receive our drinks. When the rest of our party arrived they ordered their drinks plantation iced tea & diet coke. This too took over ten minutes to arrive. We ordered our food, the appetizers arrived at the same time for our party of 6. However our food even though a few of us ordered the same items received our food at different times. We didn't get to enjoy our meal together. Our entrees took over 30 minutes to arrive so we kept filling ourselves up with food and iced tea. We rarely got our water filled, we were not tended to much it's as if they forgot about us. Other people who arrived after us received their food and were waited on more than our group. Someone in our party asked what type of salad dressing they had and her response was I'm new I don't know I will get back to you but she never did. We ended up leaving at 2pm. 1130a-2p is a really long time. I would've expected better service at this restaurant. Appetizers: Delicious Entree :Frutti De Mare - meh Dessert: mango sorbet with lilikoi roll - delicious

Kristen K.

May I just start this review off by saying that I really, dearly miss John Dom. Sigh. Anyway, so 53 by the Sea took over John Dom's location. You pull up to what looks like a private estate. Step inside the double doors (that the polite valet holds open for you) and be prepared to be in awe. The grand staircase is a sight. Soft notes from the piano floated around as we were led into the main dining room. We were seated at a prime window table and had the most gorgeous, unobstructed view of Diamond Head (and the breathtaking sunset that occurred shortly after). My fiance and I happened to be celebrating our anniversary that night....can you just swoon a little bit and try to imagine how damn romantic this ambiance is?! Our team of servers came over to introduce themselves, and presented us with some champagne. One of them, I remembered from Michels. Turns out the other was my fiance's old friend. I felt relieved knowing from the get-go that service would be excellent. Which it was throughout the entire evening. Here's what we ordered to start: --Seafood Showcase (Maine lobster, king crab, sashimi, oysters): gorgeous presentation. So fresh. I even tried an oyster. The crab was to die for. --Special dish sent out to us: Scallops two ways prepared specially by the chef. Amazing. --Mushroom Risotto: we love risotto so we just had to get this. Every bite was heaven. These all paired impeccably well with the bottle of Frank Family that we had brought with us. For our entrees, I went with the Surf & Surf (jumbo prawns and king crab)....it was just delicious. Fiance chose the 12 oz. Ribeye which came out cooked to perfection. The steak was tender and juicy and practically melted in your mouth. After another glass of wine or two off their extensive menu, enter in......the *overly contented sigh* A complimentary dessert was sent out shortly after but by then I had reached my max point of indulgence for the evening and I was stuffed beyond measure. What a wonderful evening we had. NOTE: I don't know what took me so long to actually write this review. Apologies. But I recently heard that 53 is scheduled to close!? If this is true, what a shame that is. Another good seafood restaurant will be lost from the island.

Linda Y.

This was our first visit to 53 by the sea. The flight attendant brought it to our attention that is was the new place that replaced John Dominis. We were intrigued so we made a reservation. After reading the yelp reviews we had high expectations. Well, it lived up to our expectations. The service was excellent and the food was delicious. We shared baby romaine salad and fresh oysters. Entrees were lamb chops and fresh catch (mong chong). It is an upscale dining experience and not something you would do often. Glad we tried it and I'm sure we will go again. Oh for dessert we were given an anniversary cake (strawberry shortcake ) which was just enough to go with our after dinner coffee and tea.

G R.

Delicious food. I went here for one of my best friends in da world's birthday. The foie gras was delicious and a nice fist size. I shared it with my family but next time I would love to eat one for myself. Melts in your mouth foie gras is delish. Also I had a surf and turf which was not bad. For me...the star was the foie gras and the yummy birthday dessert 53 By the Sea provided for my awesome friend. Yay!

Joanne V.

Dined with a party of 9 at 8:30pm on a Friday to celebrate one of my girls' graduation from the UH business school (But 7 of us arrived at 8pm because it was a SURPRISE!). The decor was elegant & it sorta reminded me of Kris Jenner's home (Mmmhmm... I used to watch KUWTK). Loved that there was complimentary valet parking, a hostess who opened the double doors for us, & that we were seated (with seats pushed in & everything) right away at a very beautiful table. Though we were early, we ordered cocktails (they were received very promptly & suggestions were made based on our taste preferences) & told our waiter that we wouldn't be ordering our appetizers or entrees until the final two people in our party showed up. Our celebrant showed up right on time, but unfortunately, we weren't checked up on at all from her arrival till about 8:50pm, which was definitely 20 minutes too long (especially because I was famished!). One of my friends went up to the waiter to directly ask him to bring us some menus. We ordered our dishes at 9:10pm & they were all brought out to us by 9:35pm. The food was amazing! Everything that I had tasted was very satisfying & portions were pretty decent. I was expecting less food because pictures just made everything look like bird food or maybe my eyes are just bigger than my stomach! I hadn't eaten all day so I decided to order the Basil Pesto Scampi & it was very flavorful (the basil was very potent, but I liked it), tomatoes were fresh, & the shrimp were plump, cooked very well, & abundant on my plate. I got to have a few bites of the mushroom chicken, which tasted great & the portion provided was more than enough. The view was amazing! I wish I could have captured a photo that did it justice. Prices were reasonable & aside from the long wait at times, service was pretty good... Our water glasses were refilled frequently, menu items were described in more detail and recommendations were provided, & the staff were also nice enough to take our photos on the stairwell & chairs (yes, we had to take advantage of the photo opp!). Definitely a good place for a variety of occasions from a date night to a special birthday or graduation. My rating could have been higher if we weren't left alone for so long during the crucial phase of waiting patiently for our menus & food.

Max S.

Fancy Fancy! From the time you walk in the door you feel like a celebrity. They greet you by name and all. The view is amazing of the harbor and surf. I had to go with 4 stars due to for the price and elegance you would expect a little better food. But overall was good.

Kenson K.

Wow. This place is gorgeous. Came here for lunch and my goodness, the view is spectacular. I had the fruitti di mare and it was quite tasty. My colleague had the crustacean sandwich, which looked really, really good. It had practically every crustacean known to man crammed into that sandwhich. I also had the onion soup, which I thought was a little skimpy on the soup, but the flavor was good. Our entrees came with a complimentary appetizer/amouse and dessert. Both spectacular. I think next time, I'm going to come here and maybe take the fam or spouse. Only thing is that they don't allow you to park outside. You have to hand your keys over to the valet, even though the parking lot is just a few steps from the entrance.

Olga R.

One of the greatest restaurants on the island. Beautiful view on Diamond Head and very delicious food. I will definitely go there for the next special occasion!

Lauren J.

My boyfriend took me here on our vacation to Oahu for my 25th birthday. He made a reservation and we were sat right away. When making the reservation I think they ask if you're celebrating any special occasion because they knew we were there to celebrate my birthday when we sat down which was special. First off, the view is incredible. You're literally on the water and if you get a table by the windows it's even better. The sun sets over diamond head in the distance and you can watch all the surfers catching the last few waves during what little sunlight is left of the day. Absolutely breathtaking. Second off, the important stuff- the food. Although this place is expensive and extremely upscale you should know that going into it and not be blown away by prices because you're definitely Getting an exquisite meal. We ordered the oysters to start and they come with a seaweed salad and homemade cocktail sauce which was great. For meals I had the basil pesto shrimp scampi and it was probably the best shrimp dish I have ever had in my life. Not exaggerating. I'm not entirely sure how they cooked the shrimp but they were slightly crispy and tasted unlike anything I've ever had. The basil pesto pasta was the icing on the cake! My boyfriend had the mahi mahi dish and he devoured every bite. I had some and it was definitely delicious with a great mango sauce. We ordered three different gelato flavors for dessert and all were great but they even brought out a slice of strawberry shortcake compliments of the house for my birthday with a little candle. It was very special and much appreciated. The drinks were great also, we tested a few of the special cocktails and also a glass of red wine with dinner. The wine list is extensive so give it some time to look it over you're sure to find something you like. All around great service and very helpful with questions we had. Prompt and professional and we had a great experience. If we're ever back on the island I hope to go again!

Jerry E.

Tried the lunch set here for the first time and was pleasantly surprised. You really get the bang for the buck; simply out, you can't beat the price for what you get and besides, you also get the almost (window frames spoiled a little) unobstructed view of the magnificent Diamond Head. This place will replace lunches at Mariposa for me, possibly permanently.

Tracy S.

Tried this place for the first time with a couple of friends during the holidays. The restaurant is gorgeous! It really is a great place for a special occasion. We had the tasting menu - it was awesome!! The food was delicious and the dessert was excellent! Definitely will go again=)

Joanna Y.

My family and I have dined here for lunch a few times and each time was excellent. The service was great, the food was good, and can't beat that amazing view. LOCATION The old John Dominis at Kakaako. Complimentary valet parking, but you'll still need to tip. No problem for me, I like a valet watching my car for me, especially since there are so many bums in that area lol. ATMOSPHERE The very first time I came here was for a dinner several months ago and I thought it was very classy, very spacious, with the typical mood lighting. But now I know that lunch time is much better! At night, you can't really see the outside as much. During the day time you get a great view of Diamond Head and the ocean. SERVICE Very good. For lunch, we had the same waiter every time and he always remembers us haha. For my one dinner experience, I remember there was a mix up in my order and it took what seemed like forever to get my dish back to me (the rest of my group had already almost finished theirs) but the waitress had apologized and gave me a complimentary soup as I waited, and a complimentary dessert afterward. I appreciated the gesture. FOOD Now that I've been here several times, I can say that I think the food is good (not spectacular) but I'm not sure if it is worth the price. We are paying for the great service and great food. However -- at lunch, the food is slightly less expensive than dinner, and it comes with an appetizer plate and a sorbet for dessert. Thus, I feel that the lunch is a better deal than the dinner. - CRUSTACEAN CLUB: Probably the highlight during lunch since it's stuffed with crab meat and topped with lobster. My mom orders this every time we come here and I've stolen a few bites. I think the portion and taste is pretty good. - RIBEYE BAGUETTE SANDWICH: This one comes with five little prime rib sandwiches. It's kind of a lot of bread but my dad likes it. - JUMBO TIGER SHRIMP SALAD: I had this the last time I went and thought it was good, with nice huge shrimp, but could have used a spritz or 2 more of salad dressing. The salad veggies did not seem too fresh as there were a lot of wilting/browning parts but the other salads on my parent's meals were the same. - HORSERADISH HERB CRUSTED SALMON: My dad ordered this once and he's a pretty big guy. This entire dish was the size of my tiny fist. Maybe 4 bites max. The taste was OK. - FRUTTI DI MARE: I had this for my one dinner experience, and my mom had ordered it for lunch before and we both said it was OK. A little bit on the spicier side but not bad. - GRILLED KONA MAINE LOBSTER: Yup, one time I went for the gold but that's because it was my birthday lol. I thought this was pretty good, can't go wrong with a perfectly grilled lobster with veggies and potato puree. - PESTO SHRIMP SCAMPI: Not bad, but nothing special. Just a shrimp pesto pasta.

Myong C.

Went there for happy hour. I hadn't been since the place was John Dominis so I actually drove right past the entrance because it looked so different. Beautiful and elegant, the entry is quite a sight. Then you walk in, and you're presented with one of the best dining views in the city. We headed to the bar for their happy hour specials. I ordered their special lemonade (I forget the exact name of the drink) and was very disappointed to discover that it tasted like it hardly had any alcohol in it. Seriously, I know it's happy hour prices but can you at least give me a hint of a buzz? After guzzling down the drink I ordered a beer. At least you can't water that down, right? As for the food, it was okay. The fried calamari was the worst of the 3 dishes we ordered. They looked like they had lots of seasoning on them but they had no flavor whatsoever. Even the lemon dipping sauce was bland. I usually love fried calamari but this wasn't a good dish at all. The tenderloin baguette on the other hand was very good. The tenderloin was tender enough to be cut with your teeth as you bit it and the sauce was quite flavorful. The last dish was the spinach mushroom cheese spread. First of all, the presentation was bleah as it looked like a big yellow and green mess. The spread was okay, but on the salty side. I wouldn't order it again. I don't think I'll be returning to 53BTS, despite their incredible view, unless it's on someone else's dime.

Reiko S.

We had lunch today to celebrate my friend's birthday. The lunch is a deal. With the price of an entree you get an appetizer "amuse" and dessert! The service was excellent from the valet to the hostess. Ms Shiroma was very personable and informative. I had the spaghetti and my girlfriend had the Fruitti de Mare seafood pasta. The view is terrific! We had such a good time, can't wait to go back!!!

Christopher W.

So the restaurant was very clean and amazing view. the waitress was one of the best I ever had. As for the food, delicious. Fish cooked perfectly and lemonade crab cakes were awesome.

Krysten I.

As many other reviews have said, I felt like I was walking into someone's house, well, mansion for lunch, my birthday lunch to be exact. We left my car with the very friendly valet (it's valet only), and proceeded through the ridiculously large front doors. There were so many hostesses and waiters and busboys and staff walking around that I felt a little overwhelmed. The view is absolutely beautiful: diamond head in the background, surfers riding the blue waves breaking within view. It's so dang gorgeous. And the interior? Impeccable. We started with drinks, mojito for him and juicy cocktail for me. I asked for one of the non alcoholic juicy blends (the lilikoi, lonade one) with vodka. The waiter happily obliged and I happily sipped my sweet fruity drink!while taking in the sun drenched view. I also had the flower bouquet beverage, spiked of course. It wasn't as good, meddled strawberries look pretty, but make it hard to drink a beverage through a straw. I had a sip of the boyfriend's mojito. It was one of the best I've had. For lunch, we started with the appetizer bites that are included with the lunch entrees. The appetizers were nicely plated, 5 in all. I thought they were mostly good. The octopus one was my favorite I think, but the chilled ratatouille was delicious too. The complimentary bread and lilikoi butter was also very delicious. I had the special of the day which was short rib on mushroom with red wine reduction risotto. The risotto was delicious. The short rib was a little dry thigh and the slices of cherry tomato were not thought out well. I think it could have been better, more cohesive and tomatoes not just thrown on the plate. We ended our meal with the dessert that came with the lunch entrees. We had raspberry sorbet with a piece of cheesecake and I got a piece of white cake for my birthday. In all, service was amazing, from the valet guy to the hostess, to our great waiter. The view and ambiance were amazing, even the bathrooms were great. As for the food, I honestly was expecting a bit better. After the hype of the gorgeous scenery and service, the food was a bit of a let down. I wouldn't not come back, of course, it just might be awhile until I convince others to come here again with me. There are so many other nice fancy shmancy places in waikiki. I was also a little disappointed that there is no dress code for lunch. I thought this was a nice place, but a tourist walked in in a tank top and slippers. In fact I'd say most of the male patrons were in t shirts. Ehhhh whatevs

Jackii A.

Atmosphere: It is so dreamy and amazing! It literally makes you feel like Alice in wonderland! This is such a dreamy place! Huge door with gorgeous (and huge) flight of stairs. It makes you feel like you're walking into someone's mansion! The tiles are perfectly spotless and shiny, the ceiling is beautifully high with gorgeous shiny chandeliers! Food: The best pasta ever! The seafood was amazingly cooked to perfection! Not rubbery or hard at all! It was so delectable you will wish to come here more often! For what you get, the pricing wasn't bad at all! $29 for perfectly cooked shrimp, tako, squid, muscles, clams, scallops, and many more! Perfect amount of seafood too! You get the most abundant amount too! The sampler was amazing. I still can't figure it out. Everything went together like it was meant to be! The tako soup was so tender and mouthwatering. Every dish on the sampler was amazing! The service: Amazing service! Patient, respectful, and personable! Everything how it should be at a restaurant! The Vallet guy was the best ever! He would open the doors smiling, attentive, and personable! He'd also hand you your seatbelt and wished us a safe drive home! How dreamy! The bathrooms: THE BEST EVER!!! The toilet seat will lift up when you walk in the stall! No more dirty hands! The cleanest, largest, and fanciest bathrooms ever!!

Thor S.

I was looking for a truly stunning dinner to finish a week on Oahu. The setting was wonderful and the service was good. However, the food was just ok and not up to expectations. It did not help that the mashed potatoes on my plate were cold when arrived (they did immediately bring a bowl of new potatoes but that should not happen at a fine restaurant) The music in the lounge was too loud and gave me a headache.

K B.

Nice view of the ocean, great service, classy atmosphere, excellent menu. I was pleasantly impressed & enjoyed the moment.

Kenitha Y.

Beautiful view with terrible food! My boyfriend and I came here seeking a restaurant that had a view of the ocean and city with great food to accompany it. The restaurant itself is amazing, especially with their grand staircase and architecture. Despite that, the food wasn't up to par especially for what we were paying. For appetizers, we ordered the seafood showcase and the escargot stuffed mushrooms. The seafood showcase was good... because how could you really mess that up... The escargot was okay. It was exactly what it was except it was in a spicy tomato sauce. Good but nothing to really brag about. Now... the main course is what really did it for me. We ordered the lamb with potato purée and roasted asparagus. The lamb was CRAP!! OMG we had to complain because each bite was horrible. Don't get me wrong, I've eaten plenty of lamb and I LOVE it but her, at 53 by the Sea, it tasted like liver. L-I-V-E-R!! I eat a lot of liver too... It was soft and whipped like with a taste of liver. Like wtf happened?! Ugh. The waitress was kind enough to take it off our bill because we couldn't eat it. Service was good. Bathrooms were awesome (did I mention the heated toilet seats?!). All in all... I wouldn't come back. 1.5 stars for you.

Kevin K.

On a summer trip to Hawaii, I met some good friends here who treated us to lunch. The service was excellent, the atmosphere was breathtaking, and the food was top notch. I had the ribeye baguette sandwich, and it was absolutely delicious. We were a large party and our service was still spot on. My wife and I were taking the trip as a honeymoon, and the staff made sure to acknowledge that with a nice surprise dessert. All in all, it was a wonderful experience, and I would recommend this place to anyone in the area. It is especially convenient if you are taking a cruise, as it is located very close to where NCL and Princess depart from. Our taxi ride was short and affordable. I will definitely return the next time that I am privileged enough to be in the area.

Sheila G.

I took my boyfriend here on his birthday. He enjoyed every aspect of it; from the food to the japanese style toilets. The view itself is amazing. While you sit waiting for dinner, you get to see Diamond Head and the sea surrounding you. Come on a Friday before sunset and watch the fireworks near Diamond Head. There is always a Friday firework show hosted by one of the hotels. Make sure to reserve a table in advance on a Friday night as it does get fully booked around sunset/firework time. I'm not really sure on the dress code. The air about this place is very fancy schmancy. Driving on the lot, you would think it's someones mansion. But on the day we went, we saw a couple wearing just jeans and shirts. As for the food, it was prepared well. My bf had the prix fix dinner and I had pasta. All of which were delicious. Don't forget to order a bottle of wine to set the mood.

Jesse L.

This restaurant is always the one place we cannot miss when on the South Shore! It has such an amazing view and the service and cuisine is impeccable. This is more than just an experience but always the highlight of our culinary experience in Hawai'i - Mahalo to 53 By The Sea for the memorable experience - every time!

Biny C.

Amazing service and excellent food! I recently had a luncheon party here. The managers( Cheryl and Nori) were very helpful, considerate and efficient. They reply your e mails quickly and hear out your requirements and needs. The restaurant was very flexible on changing around their set menus for my needs, and they allowed us to manage the seatings as we wish. Food was very presentable to my guests, they weren't amazing, but very neat and tasty. We had a set menu: ($85 dollar per person, 5 courses - sashimi, steak, pasta, salad, and ice cream). I had about 20 guests. The restaurant is so beautiful!! This place will be perfect for any type of formal event. The parking is very convenient too.

Chris S.

Been here when they first opened for dinner. The service is excellent, the view is perfect for a date. The food is well worth the money in my opinion. Came here for their course menu for valentine's day and as expected wasn't a let down. From when they first opened till now the food and service hasn't changed, still great food and great service.

Denalee C.

53 By the Sea + Me = A very happy girl, you see. This restaurant was on the route of the Ward Nite Run and while I huffed and puffed my way through the vog infested 5K, 53 By the Sea was like a beacon of light in the darkness. I asked my friend, "I didn't know there was a five star hotel in Kakaako." She responded with a smile, "It's 53 By the Sea". Haha, my bad. Since when did restaurants in Hawaii look more like swanky mainland mansions? Talk about an upgrade from the last restaurant that stood in the same spot. Tonight before dinner, we pulled in behind a stretch SUV limo with a bedazzled trunk handle-man, even the patrons are fancy. They have complimentary valet and once you get out of the car, they open these huge doors to reveal a gorgeous, modern restaurant that looks more like a "Real Housewives" home than a restaurant. There's a grand stair case that greets you at the entrance complete with a railing that is so intricate that you may have to hire a full time person to ensure a dust free stairs experience. Every detail of the restaurant is extremely elegant and gorgeous. We arrived after sunset which meant we missed out on the beautiful view. *insert sad face*. I always check with my fellow yelpers to decide what to order but this was the one and only time it was not helpful. I'm not sure if they recently changed the menu or it's on a rotation but many of the mentioned entrees in recent reviews were not listed on my menu. The server recommended the scallops and the sea bass. He also mentioned for a seafood restaurant, they have mentionable meat that they put in a chilled container on a plane so it is never frozen. We ordered a bottle of Jovino, lobster roll, surf & surf and the sea bass. The bread basket boasted three types of breads but the one to indulge in is the sweet bread (the one that looks like a bun, rather than the sliced pieces ) and the lilikoi butter has a pop of sweetness to the silky texture. The Jovino was absolutely delicious-it was like drinking juice from a glass: light but flavorful. The lobster roll were three tiny pieces of bread that were buttered, stuffed with lobster pieces and possibly pan fried. Amazing flavor, generous portions of lobster! I was extremely hesitant to order the sea bass as if you go to any decent Chinese restaurant, you can get delicious sea bass. However, it was like butter. It was the equivalent of butterfish-light, moist, tender. And the sauce. It was a perfect combination of oil, shoyu and whatever magic the chef threw in. I was a bit shocked to learn it was ala cart and I had to order rice on the side. For dessert, we settled in on the chocolate cake. They had me at 'butterscotch' which to me is almost equivalent to caramel. The cake itself tasted like a flourless cake-which isn't my favorite. It lacked the spongey-ness of a real cake. It was still rich and indulgent. The ice cream and butterscotch topping was creamy and delicious. I had a wonderful experience. Our waiter and crew were attentive and completely took care of us. What sealed the deal was not only was the bathroom beautiful as well, but they had Toto toilets. That's an extra star right there. Six stars for 53 By the Sea!

Aaron Koichi C.

Omg the service is impeccable. The ambiance intriguing and intoxicating from the moment you step in. The food is tasty and mouth tantalizing. I would recommend this to all my friends around the world.

Edna M.

I had never heard of this place until my husband came home saying that his coworkers said we should go there for our anniversary. We had already made Alan Wong's reservations, canceled those to try this place. First off, you drive in to what almost looks like a what used to be mansion. You get out the car as the valet man politely greets you and offers to take a photo at the gigantic, beautiful double doors. You walk in to a beautiful restaurant overlooking the ocean and a massive white staircase which leads to other private dining rooms. We don't go up there.. Lol. They seat us by the window next to a very breathtaking view of Waikiki and diamond head from afar. So, so, beautiful. I had to go to the bathroom immediately so they take me there and I go in and the toilet opens up as soon as I walk in the stall. I sit down on a heated and delightful toilet seat and handle my business. Weirdest experience ever. I ever tried the front sprayer, not gonna discuss that experience. Anyways, for appetizer we ordered the foie gras, which I never had before so I was super excited. It was amazing with the brioche and tasted like butter. We also ordered the Caesar salad to split. Amazing house made dressing. Appetizer and salad already a 5 star experience. My husband orders the lamb chops, and I order the shrimp basil scampi. I take a bite out of my pasta and it catches me off guard how bland it is. There's no salt on the table, because of course... 5 star restaurants NEVER have salt on the table. My husbands lamb chops were pretty good, but they didn't seem medium rare like he ordered. I was scared to ask for salt because I felt like that was super rude, so my husband did. it made a big difference. The whole dining experience was great until the entrees came out. Appetizers, salad, atmosphere, service, and bathrooms get 5 stars from me. I probably will never go there again, but I'm glad I did. Overall it was a great experience.

Hildz R.

Very classy & comfortable. Love the live music. Enjoyed the evening view of downtown. I can't wait to come here during the day :)

Russel M.

This review is only for HH. THe View is amazing and one of the best in Honolulu. Prices are reasonable for HH and Service is with a smile. Valet Parking only.

K. D.

Amazing service and amazing staff! Thank you everyone to help celebrate my friend's birthday! I love the food and the drinks! Yummy

Chaz K.

The food was awesome, best lobster I had in forever!!! Loved the hot cake too so Ono!!!

Teri C.

Beautiful surroundings, exquisite food, white glove service. Best view of Diamond Head in Waikiki. A real gem!

Holly B.

We went for lunch because the dinner menu was really expensive! The drive and entrance to the restaurant are impressive, the waitstaff OK, the food OK. It took a while to get our food, and then we didn't get our entrees at the same time; some got their food and others had to wait for another 20 minutes or more after that! Won't be returning for dinner for the prices charged when the food is only OK. . .Nothing outstanding or inventive to look forward to.

Stephanie S.

I was here for a wedding this past August, so I can only speak about the catered menu. I thought it would be rude to ask for vegan/vegetarian accommodations so I gritted my teeth and ate what was on the plate. There are few things one can't endure with unlimited glasses of a delicious red wine that I regret not getting the name of! The Sashimi Trio was a few slices of fish on a plate, which was nothing unusual. This was followed by the Hearts of Palm and Watercress Salad which was also fine. Seared Diver Scallops was next, which was nicely caramelized and actually pretty delicious. This was followed by a kind of white fish seared in brown butter, but was very overcooked and unbearably dry. I was surprised that a seafood restaurant would do the steak better than the fish, but the Petite Filet Mignon was cooked perfectly to my request of medium rare. Lastly, dessert was a Coconut Panna Cotta which was kind of like a Coconut-flavored custard jello, the best part of which was the Lilikoi (Passionfruit) sauce. The service was excellent, but the food was not up to my expectations. I was very impressed by the look of the place though, and another guest at the wedding told me it had been completely redesigned just a while ago. I have no idea what it looked like before, but the way it looks now is gorgeous and gives the impression of grandeur. Plus, if you're into huge curving staircases, this is the perfect place to make your entrance!

Tricia L.

Loved the ambiance, the decor, the atmosphere, the service, and the food! The servers are definitely on point. When I stepped away from my seat for a second, I would come back to my napkin neatly folded. I ordered the prix fixe menu, which has 6 courses. 1. Sashimi Trio - ahi, salmon, and hamachi were all fresh and presentation was beautiful 2. Heart of Palm & Watercress Salad - Dressing was light and citrusy, super delicious; but i wasn't a fan of the Daikon 3. Seared Diver Scallop - The scallop was delicious and took forever to eat (it's basically one BIG scallop) Intermezzo - yummy, fruity sorbet :P 4. 53's Fresh Catch - The fresh catch I had was a mahi mahi, which was cooked to perfection. I also subbed the squash out for asparagus and my goodness that was good; it was lightly seasoned with some salt 5. Petite Filet Mignon - I loved the marination on the steak and it was also cooked perfectly. But honestly, I think I'm more of a NY steak kind of girl 6. Coconut Panna Cotta - I loved the lilikoi and mango reduction, but I'm not a big fan of coconut. If i were, I would love this dessert.

Allison D.

I read the previous Yelp reviews and was hesitant to bring my boyfriend here for his birthday dinner. However, I decided that even if we had a bad experience, at least we would have a story to tell. But, the hesitation proved unnecessary; we had a lovely experience. We arrived for our 7pm reservation and we were promptly seated in a luxurious booth complete with pillows, facing the ocean and Diamond Head. The only problem: there was a large pole blocking our view. When our waiter arrived, I asked if we could move to a table with a better view; he promptly obliged and moved us to a table with a beautiful, unobstructed view. The service was superb; our waiter was very attentive and always ready with a suggestion if we needed it. We ordered: Lobster Bisque - delectable Potato Puree - I wouldn't call it a puree, it was pretty chunky and slightly bland 53's Fresh Catch - opah the day we dined, it was delicious 12oz Ribeye - medium to medium rare (per the waiter's suggestion), my boyfriend devoured it All of it arrived in a timely fashion, and it was all presented beautifully. I can't wait to go back and try their happy hour! Notes: Ambience: Romantic Service: Outstanding Price for what you get: About right Free valet parking

Jamila J.

This review is for private party service. Did it up big for my 30th Birthday! Amazing is the theme for this review. Planning and Prep, amazing. The manager was completely competent and helpful. Was able to contact over email to get menus to choose from and make inquiries. In addition, you can meet prior to your event to set up how you'd like your evening to proceed. If you choose to have wine, you can get suggestions and they can make sure they have what you want and/or need on hand. It truly is a collaborative effort to make your event what you like. The food, amazing. I chose a family style menu with about four different courses. People were amazed that food kept coming out. I was worried there wouldn't be enough, had leftovers for days. Not your typical classy place with portions smaller than your pinky. I was even able to customize the meal to make sure all my guest had food they liked. (FYI I'm a great host) The ambiance, amazing. Driving up to valet (complimentary) you feel liked you've pulled into a beautiful villa in Italy. It's breathtaking. As you walk in there's a beautiful staircase to the second floor where the private rooms. Great spot for pictures (Instagram much?). I checked what time the sunset, so I planned the dinner to start shortly before sunset, the view was of Kewalo Basin and Waikiki. A wall of floor to ceiling windows. You got all the great colors of a beautiful Hawaii sunset. As soon as the sun is down you have the Waikiki skyline all lot up. If you plan as well as I do and have it on a Friday, you get great seats to the Waikiki 7:00pm fireworks show. The staff even dimmed the lights to get a better view. The bathrooms, amazing. Japanese toilets, need I say more? They were an event, excursions were had. Overall, it was a great birthday enhanced by the wonderful staff, food and setting. Of course, this isn't a regular occurrence. But for a special occasion this is a great spot.

Cindy L.

Wow! That's a multi-million dollar structure! The old John Dominis is gone. The building was spectacular, with a grand entry way and a giant door that leads you to the grand staircase. The room was bright and decorated with white lilies, cymbidium orchids and roses. Once you walk in, you will see the stunning view of Ala Moana Beach and Diamond Head. I was excited to try the food since they use fresh local ingredients. Seafood platter ($30) - Half steamed lobster, kampachi sashimi, ahi sashimi, fresh oysters and seared scallop. Comes with two dipping sauce: soy vinaigrette and seafood tartar. Escargot stuffed mushroom ($18) - 5 pieces with a spicy meat sauce. The sauce was excellent with the variety of breads offered. Opakapaka with Okinawan Sweet Potato ($30) - Grilled nicely where it's crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, but a bit too salty. Atmosphere was fabulous, service was excellent, but the food fell a little short.

Leigh N.

My first visit here sealed the deal for 53 By The Sea to be my new favorite Sunday brunch spot. Everything about this establishment is decadent. The view is amazing and dining during the day allows you to savor and appreciate the beauty. The service was impeccable. Our server was very knowledgeable, personable and his anticipation of our needs was outstanding. Loved the white glove service. The lunch menu is not overwhelming and entrees include an amuse bouche and dessert. Delicious! All courses were perfectly timed. Our entire meal was luxurious and relaxing. We had such an exceptional experience here I cannot wait to return!

Traci H.

One of the few restaurants that actually lived up to its hype. I had heard a bunch of good reviews for dinner and for the fancy toilets, but what finally got me was some comments that you have to try lunch because it was good food, good view, and a good value...can't take the chang-a-lang out of me sometimes. VIEW: you've seen it in other reviews, so I don't have to say much more. It's awesome, and is worth checking it out when there is daylight. I could also see how it could be interesting with the night lights too. Check it out. Picture perfect. PARKING: complimentary valet. Just tip them. There is a sign for valet parking as you turn into the big fancy Catalina feeling mansion... RESERVATIONS: Opentable or by phone. We just walked in. When I called they had said they weren't taking any more reservations but that they should have some walk-in tables. What happened was that they had a big event upstairs, so they didn't want to overload the reservations in the dining room. TOILETS: yes they are cool Toto toilets. I'm not a fan of all the bells and whistles and risking pressing a button and creating a huge water fountain. But I was impressed that as you approach the toilet, the toilet cover opens automatically. Ok, now for the last part... FOOD: I think they call it a Italian, Seafood, Hawaii-local restaurant. It's not a pure Italian restaurantt... For lunch, it's an awesome deal--you pay a certain amount for your main dish (~$19-$30) and it comes with a spread of appetizers and a dessert. What a good deal. The appetizers may change but we had a mixed plate of farfalle pasta salad, cold grilled marinated veggies, prosciutto/salami, some shrimp and aioli thing and a fish mousse. They roll out a cart of appetizers and then will plate it for you. Then the meals--we tried homemade pasta dishes. WOW. Yum. They don't have homemade spaghetti so I substituted homemade fettuccine with the 53 special meatsauce (it's just like bolognese). I actually tried to substitute tagliatelle, but it came out with fettuccine (perhaps they thought it would taste better). Yummy, down home bolognese sauce and perfectly cooked homemade pasta. Also had the shrimp scampi pesto tagliatelle. Too much food. Man. But I can't wait to go back. Dessert. Wow. Sounds simple and bland but Vanilla Panna Cotta with haupia sorbet. Sounded bland and blah but wow, it was absolutely light and incredible. I asked if they serve it on the regular dinner menu and they said no. Sigh. I guess I'll have to come back for lunch. I don't even like panna cotta! Ordered a plantation iced tea and they said it comes in a carafe. So it was $10 for the carafe, but it was about 5-6 glasses of it. And it was tasty! SERVICE: Super attentive and friendly service. I think our server was Nelson and he was knowledgeable, friendly, and overall made the experience really enjoyable. We sat in a loveseat table against the window. They have regular tables as well. But I really liked the loveseat table! There is a banquet room(s) upstairs but we didn't see it. DECOR/ATMOSPHERE: It has a totally classic and classy, without being stale and dark and overbearing. I love it. And I can't wait to be back. 31 Yelps #6

Shannon T.

Most romantic restaurant in Hawaii. Beautiful views of Waikiki w Diamond Head in the back drop. Awsome Escargot w mushrooms, lobster bisque, ribeye, moi, lemoncello cake & creme brûlée! Must come back!

Nori S.

53 By The Sea is the old John Dominis restaurant that was renovated so beautifully! When you arrive, you feel you are at someone's mansion..and when you enter, there is an awesome double sided staircase adorned by wrought iron looking vines that look like something out of Beauty and the Beast! The rest of the decor is tastefully done. On to the food-the crab cake balls appetizer was totally delish! The Kona Maine lobster entree on sweet pea risotto with the lobster beurre blanc sauce was perfect as was the filet mignon with 1/2 Kona Maine lobster with mash potatoes ...the only thing was the filet was medium done, not rare as ordered. But our attentive server, Iris, quickly took care of the error. Don't order the side of grilled asparagus as it is nothing special and they give you vegetables with your entree. As for dessert, try anything but their coconut creme brûlée in a coconut shell-it was watery and the coconut meat is hard not soft, so you can't spoon it out....or if you're like me, you can try, and have some fly on your blouse lol... The view of Diamond Head and Waikiki is fantastic, so I recommend going there early. A nice romantic restaurant for a special occasion...

Beth I.

I seriously love my job more when client business lunches allow me to dine like this. The whole experience for lunch averages to 4 stars and I've also been here for happy hour which also averages to 4 stars for different reasons. For lunch-- service is top notch 5-star service. Car doors, front doors, and toilet seats magically open before you and the services are warm and cordial. This is serious "be our guest" (think Beauty and the Beast) type service. Their white gloved service seems to be a bit much in Hawaii, but it does lend a fancy touch to the experience. All of their lunch items come with an amuse bouche of 4 tasty bites, your entree, and finishes with their house sorbet. I had the seared ahi salad and it was very average. Nothing special and the ahi was not fresh, but more dry even though it was only seared. The dressing was also bland. Perhaps I ordered the wrong thing, but for the price point, all lunch items should be excellent. My boss said the pasta was good, so perhaps at the next meeting I should go for that instead. The vanilla sorbet was delicious though. Really light and the fresh berries were sweet and the perfect way to end the meal. The views are another story. I could sit there basking in the noon day sun sipping an iced tea ALL day. Majestic views of diamond head and the surf breaks are wonderful and they definitely did a good job focusing on the view from every seat in that place. Happy hour-- On another visit, I had the crab cakes and the lobster rolls. Both were fantastic and beautifully plated. These were off the happy hour menu and were ordered and eaten at the bar. You would otherwise need to have reservations to have a table here, but if you're lucky you can grab any one of the dozen or so seats at their happy hour which starts at 4pm. Each pupu item is only 3-4 bites at the most and can easily be $20+ so you will spend a pretty penny here trying to get full off the HH menu. The drinks here are another story. They are very very delicious and handcrafted by friendly bartenders. The drink prices are also very reasonable for these strong libations. I had perhaps one of the best mint julips ever here. Crushed ice clung to the outside of the glass and little sprigs of mint were garnished on top. Couple that with the view and sitting in the utter lap of luxury... You too will feel like you stepped into the world of Gatsby.

Aulii H.

If you have tons of money, this place is worth a visit. Lucky for me, someone else paid the bill. I was there for a birthday dinner, with reservations at sunset. The view is beautiful. You can see Diamond Head and Waikiki as the sun goes down. As we were looking at the menu, the lights were dimmed dramatically, which kind of disoriented us for a little bit. For appetizers we had the crab cakes, which are like cute little balls of crabby goodness. We also had the jumbo shrimp cocktail, which was really jumbo, but we could tell it was the frozen kind. It was still okay. The last appetizer was the stuffed mushroom escargot. Like other people said, this was the best choice. The sauce has a nice, full flavor, a little spicy, and not too overwhelming. Neither of us got any salad or soup so no review on that. I had the fettuccine, which I liked. The others had the ribeye, the ribeye with lobster, the lamb, the mushroom risotto and the sea bass. The biggest complaint was that we couldn't tell that it was a whole lobster because it was so tiny looking. They also shell it for you before playing so we never saw the lobster as a whole. I tasted the ribeye, and I thought it was good. I heard the risotto was good, but the guy that had the sea bass said he didn't like it and called it tilapia. He didn't even eat half and didn't take it home either. Also, the lamb was a little to rare for the birthday boys liking. For dessert we got the free birthday shortcake, the complimentary pineapple tart to make up for the rate lamb, the chocolate cake, tiramisu, and creme brûlée. It was all delicious. The only problem was that the tiramisu has way to much espresso in it for my personal taste. We also had the lemoncello and this pear bourbon or something with a whole pear in the bottle. The service was just okay considering it wasn't busy, and they only have valet parking which kind of sucks but hey, you're supposed to bring lots of money to eat here right? Why skimp on the parking? I would go here again if someone else pays, but only because there is no way I can afford to eat here on my own dime. Definitely a consideration for a super special occasion that I wouldn't mind saving my money for.

Michelle M.

View = Marvelous Ambiance = Decadent Service = a bit dry Flavor & fare = ok Overall value = Not quite what I expected I had heard great things about this place from many of my friends. I agree that the venue is remarkable. It feels like youre entering the home of a hip hop mogul or a Kardashian when you enter thru the double doors and walk into the grand foyer. Something about that staircase draws you to walk up and strike a pose. Ok, Im guilty... I did the photoshoot. Sue me! Seated with a captivating view of Panic Point, we watched the fierce South Shore Swell sweep the boogie boarders across the waves. Shoots! but the food... Where was my epicurean delight? Sorry, but it was kind of not there. Seemingly stuffy and pretentious, I found the lunchtime menu offering to be rather uninteresting. Although my foodie friend jr might disagree (be really loved the Ribeye Sliders) it seemed like they were just trying to offer the same old brunch fare without challenging the palate because they sights should be enough. I had the Grilled Tiger Prawn Salad and with 3 tiger prawns for the $25 price tag, I was disappointed to say the least! The arugula salad seemed wilted, flavorless and dry. Would I come again? NOT!

Nicole F.

This is the first yelp review I have ever given and 53 by the Sea is very deserving of it. I have eaten at this restaurant multiple times since moving to Oahu. Each time I have taken a different group of friends and everyone always has the same opinion as I have had with each dining experience here, "It is absolutely fantastic"! Not only is the food always exceptional but the staff is too. I will continue to frequent 53 by the sea as it is by far my favorite restaurant on the island!

Karen C.

Reading Yelp reviews before coming here made me very hesitant because too many people say the food is just okay and not worthwhile for the price. Come for lunch, come for lunch, come for lunch. It's cheaper and the view/ambience is the best during the day! Myth busters: * There are no flies in the restaurant. * Service is good. * View IS spectacular and the restaurant is very high class and clean. White and creme colored theme. Yellow rose on the tables for lunch. * IS surrounded by homeless tents, but not like 100x more than what u normally see. You see tents all around the city. Can find some at south king street too. So the tents around the place aren't a big deal nor a security threat. * FOOD WAS GOOD! Had the pesto shrimp scampi pasta and it was yummy. The mushroom chicken is VERY good. They even do a vegetarian option that my mother really likes. Free bread before the meal with lilikoi butter! :D I think it was $20 per person for lunch for the entire meal: bread, bite sized tasting dish, an entree, and ice cream dessert. VERY filling! Good sized portions! (Menu isn't huge) COME DURING THE DAYYYYYYY CAN'T STRESS THIS ENOUGH!

Kalani S.

This place was not to our expectations. With all the great reviews of this new Italian seafood restaurant we expected to have the best tasting Seafood as well as pasta. Below are some of our thoughts on the food we ordered. Pros: Homemade Lasagna very original and tasty, they added a Benedict style egg on top and highly recommended. Roasted Colorado Lamb was a bit on the salty side but no gamey flavor and very well cooked. Cons: We ordered the 53 seafood platter and only to realize that the sashimi was not firm with a 2 day old flavor as well as the lobster that came with it. The Escargot had more cheese and olive oil flavor which over powered the taste of the escargot. Less is more on this dish. The wine selection is one of the most reasonable priced than many other restaurants, they don't over charge and they do have a sommelier to help you choose your wines.

Amanda A.

This place is absolutely beautiful. I brought my boyfriend here for his birthday and we were both taken back. You walk in and its just beautiful. We have never been the couple to sit side by side but this is how they have you sit here and this is the place to do it. It is so elegant and romantic. The staff was very attentive and willing to take pictures for us. Our food was fantastic, it was definitely a dining experience. For my boyfriends birthday they brought our a complimentary dessert which was phenomenal. The only thing I can say was that we both noticed how fishy the oysters were. When ordering a $50 appetizer we expected it to be top notch. I could barely get one down it was so fishy. All in all though it was a great experience and we had a lovely evening.

Rissa K.

Love this place! Probably one of the most beautiful and classy restaurant ever in Hawaii! This is located where the old John Dominis used to be. This place is great for seafood and American classic dining. The ambiance is great here and also the service! The view is spectacular as well! You can see view of Diamond Head from this restaurant and on Friday evenings you can catch the fireworks at 7:45pm from Hilton Hawaiian Village. We came here for Happy Hour and they have a great happy hour menu! Great drink specials too!

Krissy K.

Even after reading reviews and seeing photos, I was so impressed with how bright and airy 53 by the Sea looks. All traces of John Dominis' dark interior have been removed, but thankfully, the stunning view remains. I was able to eat here for dinner with reservations scheduled in time to catch the sunset. Our table was equipped with a cozy loveseat and pillows and afforded a perfect view. Fabulous. As for the food, I thought it was...good (pause necessary). We ordered the calamari salad, escargot stuffed mushrooms, lobster, and frutti di mare. The salad was LOADED with calamari. Various Yelp reviews swayed me to order the escargot mushrooms. It was not quite what I was expecting, but it was certainly a different preparation. The presentation of the lobster was quite stunning, and it had a nice flavor. The frutti di mare was okay, but there was nothing too creative about it. Desserts are serviceable, and I noticed a LOT of complimentary birthday desserts being served throughout the restaurant. Service is excellent and attentive. Our server took time to tell us about the private dining options upstairs as well as the wedding services. I was tempted to give this place a 3 based on food alone, but the setting/ambience alone are a 6/5, so I rounded up. I'd come back for lunch, which is apparently very reasonably priced. It should still be considered for a private party or an extremely romantic date location at night.

Nadine N.

After reading about this place on yelp, I decided to give it a try. I took my family here for a Mother's Day lunch. It was a little sketchy at first, driving past a lot of homeless tents, but the restaurant itself is beautiful. We got there a little early (1/2 hour, actually) for our 12:00 reservation, but they graciously took us in at 11:30. Every table had a great ocean view. We were seated near one of the doors, which happened to be open a little. I asked the waiter if he could close it since it was pretty breezy. He very kindly closed the door and then went about taking our orders. A few minutes later, a guy at the next table opens the door up again, sending a gust of wind my way. He looks at me and asks, "Too much?". Whatever, dude. So now I have to go through my meal in a windstorm, not to mention the wandering fly or occasional bug. And did I mention that it was more than a little breezy? But I digress. None of that is the restaurants fault. The meal came with an amuse-bouche, entreé, and dessert. All were pretty good. I had the herb-crusted salmon with a creamy horseradish sauce and pea pureé, which was really good. I was originally going to order the mushroom chicken, but changed my order at the last minute since both my mom and grandma were ordering it. Dessert was a delicious raspberry sorbet with a drizzle of mango coulis. Out waiter was really nice, but was a little slow with service. We sat down at 11:30 and didn't end up leaving until 1:30. I didn't expect to have a 2 hour lunch. However, I have to give this place credit for handing out a lovely pink rose and extra slice of cake to all of the mothers. Overall, this place is a pretty good find. Nice views of the ocean and Diamond Head. Oh yeah, and they had really cool Japanese-style toilets. You know, the ones with the heated toilet seats and bidets...

Richard L.

The ambiance was very elegant, the service was attentive and prompt & the food was exquisite. The staff was very friendly and it was a wonderful experience over all. I will recommend this place to all my friends.

Irene G.

The hubby took me here for my birthday a few months back and I was not impressed. The location and ambiance is nice for a date night or special occasion but the food itself isn't that good. Atmosphere - They have a variety of tables and booths. It's a bit awkward. He made a reservation for 7:30 about two weeks in advance and requested to sit near the window. We were not seated until 8:10 or so. So much for making a reservation :( It kind of feels like you're on a boat because the whole time you look out the window you can see the water so that was kind of cool. The tables was really small and we were forced to sit next to each other as opposed to across from each other as that's the way the table was set up. There were booths along the wall and even those tables seemed a bit small. Food - We ordered salad, soup, and we each got a dish. I think the best part of the meal was my soup! The entrees we got were very tasteless. I don't know if they were trying to be health conscious but it could definitely have used a little more salt and pepper to say the least. Service - The service was good and friendly. They would clear your plate quickly and refill your water so it wouldn't do down more than 1/2 the cup. Overall, this place is ok. Probably wont be returning.

Claudette E.

For the price, you really are paying for the service, ambience, scenery and food. It's definitely not one those places you'd want to dine at frequently (unless you can afford to), but definitely a place you'd want to dine at yearly. I'd say you get more bang for your buck ordering the $100 prix fix menu vs ala cart. I was full by the end of the night. The food is delivered at a steady pace. A 7 course meal took 2 hours to complete, but I left there satisfied. Oh and one tip, please people don't go there wearing jeans shorts or slippers! For crying out loud Hawaii may be casual in all aspects of life. But in a place where the staff and chef are trying to give you a five star fine dining experience, the least you can do is dress up!

Brandon Y.

Really nice environment and structure. Great food, service, and view. On the pricier side, but worth it. And free valet.

camilla c.

Over-priced, unsatisfactory service and food. Never again!!!

C G.

I love this restaurant! This place is so beautiful. My boyfriend and I went here for our anniversary lunch. He surprised me and I thought the place was breath taking. I would like to come here again. Plus the price was so reasonable.

Maureen O.

Really beautiful restaurant! The food and service are fantastic.

Sheldon K.

The first time I went to this restaurant, I was blown away. The second time I went, I was amazed... But the third time, I was let down. It's not the service, ambiance, nor the view... It was the food that lost the fifth star. I realized the food didn't taste the same and the price went up, when I went for the third time. Then I found out the Italian cuisine executive chef left and they hired a French cuisine executive chef. It changed the menu and taste drastically for the worst. The menu wasn't friendly for a member in your group that doesn't eat seafood, but wants to join you. Finally, the food just doesn't taste the same... I know the cuisine changed, but it didn't get better or stay the same; it got worst. When I spend my money like on a place like this, I expect the total package (awesome food, service and ambiance).

Jesse C.

I was disappointed by almost everything but the food service. We made reservation for a private room. The view was beautiful and we could see the Friday night fireworks. They would only allow us to choose a pre-fix menu. Between the two choices, we could only choose ONE for the entire party of 20. (I don't see why we can't choose different things. We're paying for one check.) The food was unseasoned and portions were lacking. We left hungry and unsatisfied. This is not a value meal but more of a tourist trap. Proceed with caution. Highly recommend avoid all together.

Carol L.

Fine dining but no stuffy. Impeccable service. Awesome views! Great wine list! Dinner: Escargot stuffed mushrooms Seafood stew Mushroom Risotto Excellent! Just go. You wont be disappointed! =)

Marko M.

My wife and I went on date last night to 53, and it was a excellent experience all the way. Service and food was great. Its pricy but worth it. We will go there again for sure. If you go there on Friday you can see fireworks at 7:45pm.

Talor M.

Where do I start.......... its just another restaurant on the list of sub-par fine dining establishments on Oahu. The outside is very nice. It looks like an Italian villa. They even have the inside decked out with an impressive grand staircase. As you get to the dining area you'll notice it is incredibly loud that you almost have to shout just to hear each other. The tables are so close together you can hear what the people right next to you are talking about and it is very bright in there. Not the most romantic. Overall the food is decent but pretentious and the staff seems inexperienced. After we ordered our food it took almost an hour for the main course to come out. And with the army of staff they have there we were barely checked on the whole night. The food Lobster bisque: It was very delicious. The highlight of the meal. Creamy with just the right amount of flavor. It made me very hopeful for the rest of the meal. Roasted lamb: The meat was tough unfortunately and the bed of mashed potatoes underneath it was not seasoned at all. Tiramisu: There was more cream than cake. Besides that it was an average tasting tiramisu. I don't think I'll be making another trip back here. The food and experience just doesn't justify the price.

Adam B.

Great atmosphere, outstanding view and good food. The seafood platter had tasty crab and lobster but the sashimi was low quality. Oysters were delicious. Had the rack of Lamb and it was good but nothing special. Worth going back for the food/atmosphere combo but not just for the food only.

Javier B.

location is wonderful, the aloha spirit???? I'll leave that to you guys...food wise is wonderful kind of over price but its just another business restaurant who is trying to make some living in hawaii.. good luck and please hire some local people.

Sheila S.

Beautiful environment! Amazing stuffed mushrooms, and cocktails. Steak was a bit dry, so I was pretty disappointed. Other than that it was great.

Rodelynn C.

This has been the second time I've been here and it was significantly better than the first. The first time I had a rib-eye, asked for it medium, and got it pretty rare. I sent it back to get cooked more, and while it came back more medium-rare than medium, they did make up for it by giving each person at my table a free dessert (and there were 13 of us!). This time my family took my mom for a belated Mother's day dinner. I went with the fettuccine with tomato sauce and it was delicious, but my favorite part was the creme brulee for dessert. It was absolutely the best creme brulee I've ever had! Though I think the prices should be lower for the quality, the view is spectacular, especially if you go on a Friday night when the Hilton setting off fireworks.

Eunice F.

What a weird location.. You have to drive past homeless city to get to this fine dining fancy place but once you get there it's beautiful! They did a great job renovating it from when it used to be the old john dominis... Service was pretty good... Food was just average.. For the types of high end prices you pay here... There was no wow factor... Seafood was fresh but flavors were lacking... Overall small portions high prices and no flavors in the food... Not impressed..

Angela R.

My wonderful husband decided to surprise me with a dinner for our fourth wedding anniversary. He secretly made a reservation and shared with the reservation taker that we would be celebrating our wedding anniversary. Having a baby and super busy lives it was almost impossible to make this happen. Somehow my husband pulled strings and found care for our daughter and we were on our way. So the impossible dinner became possible. As we pulled up to the front, the wonderful valet parked our dusty Honda Civic in a jungle of BMW's, Mercedes, and Range Rovers. The 2 valet parking attendants were nice and welcoming and we were excited for our dinner! When one of the valet attendants opened the grand door for us and we were blown away by marble staircase. We took some mandatory pics on the staircase, checked in with the hostess, and checked out the restrooms (nice btw!). My husband and I were greeted and seated fairly quickly. The service from the server was good but I wasn't blown away with the service. She was friendly and informative and answered all of our questions about the food but did not go beyond her call of duty and nothing stood out. Absolutely nothing was stellar about the service. Although it was good, when I fine dine I expect an extra degree of service not regular kine service. The bread was nothing to rave about but it was nice that they offered 3 types of breads. However, I thought maybe the establishment should just work on making one very awesome bread for customers to remember. We ordered a bottle of white wine, seafood sampler for two, pan seared ahi, and clam risotto. The seafood sampler was a good starter for my husband and I. The seafood was nice and fresh. It came with a "special" cocktail sauce which tasted plain cocktail sauce. The honey mustard was different and a pleasant surprise. The seared ahi was small and tasted typical nothing fancy. Last, the clam risotto was hard.. Excuse me but you can try boil the rice a bit more next time and maybe add more cheese? I didn't want to hurt my hubby's feelings for the great effort he put into our anniversary dinner but I had to tell him the dinner experience its self was "meh". That was when he explained that when he made the reservations he told the person on the line that it was our anniversary BUT we not one person acknowledged it. A little annoyed, I decided to call the next day to find how we were missed. The following day I called to ask if they recognize people who are celebrating special occasions. The person who answered the phone said that people who celebrate special occasions receive a complementary dessert. So, I explained how we were not acknowledged. She checked and found that it was noted in the books but was that information was not transferred to their daily reservation list (whatever that is). The girl on the line said it was her mistake and that she was sorry. Maybe I'm being dramatic but I seriously thought "thats all"???? I didn't expect a free meal or anything. I secretly wished that she would have tried harder with her apology by possibly inviting us back for lunch and she would give us our anniversary dessert at that time or something but NOTHING. 53 by the Sea, I suggest you ask your customers when they arrive for their reservation if they are celebrating something special. After all, we do not spend $150-$200 dollars on dinner very often. When we dine at your establishment it is a special occasion. That way you do not mess up another persons anniversary dinner. Is it wrong that I had high expectations of you? The valet was great (4), the food and waitress was ok(3), and the hostess made a huge mistake(0)! = 2 stars.

Rod U.

A disappointment. High quality banquet food served in a beautiful dining space boasting fantastic ocean views. Excellent use of locally sourced ingredients. This is not a true contemporary fine dining restaurant. Dishes are designed to be visually stimulating and stand alone as if it were designed specifically for a banquet: - dishes are prettied up with inedible (tea leaves) or meaningless (half lemon with a veal chop) garnish, - hot mains are served with cold, fresh, "salad" on the same plate. For starters, the escargot stuffed mushrooms that so many have raved about are very good. Different from most; served in an acidic tomato cream sauce that works well. Bizarre garnish (thin sliced baguette). It is impossible to balance a mushroom on it and eating it on the side does not add any textural contrast. Pastas are very well made. Toothsome and flavorful. The linguine with veg medley is visually stunning and good eats. The addition of capers and anchovy take the veg to another level. The fettuccine with Italian sausage and mushrooms is over sauced but delicious with sweet porky goodness blending well with the earthy mushrooms and pecorino cheese. The only disappointment is the spaghettini frutti di mare. Over cooked, rubbery scallop and squid in an over reduced, cloying, arrabiata sauce. Mains are the downfall. The overcooked, grilled opakapaka served on a huge pile of Okinawa sweet potato pure, garnished by inedible okra and a sea asparagus salad is unique. Visually impressive but one dimensional in texture and the flavor combination... NO. The grilled veal chop is a joke. Over cooked then topped with slices of cold prosciutto and served along a hot stuffed tomato and cold arugula. The lack of deep beef flavor hints to the veal being pen raised. While I believe PETA = People Eating Tasty Animals, I squirm at the thought of the inhumane treatment of our food (off my soapbox now). Well chosen but short wine list. Fair prices. No doubt that 53 by the Sea would host an incredible wedding banquet or convention dinner. As a restaurant, it disappoints.

Debrah D.

We had a brunch reservation, when you pull up it looks like a home from the outside. The valet swiftly opened our doors and once you get on the steps you see two gigantic double doors. It was our first time here so we were hesitant to open the doors. Upon entering we were immediately greeted by the host. She was so sweet and accommodating as she acknowledged that we had our preschooler with us. She got out the high chair and sat us, my husband, daughter, myself and of course my husband put our son in the high chair. They sat us in the perfect spot, right in the middle of the dining area, next to the panoramic floor to ceiling windows. I have to say, they did a wonderful renovation from the former John Dominis. Our server greeted us and poured our waters immediately offering their specialty beverages of the day, which my daughter had (blueberry italian creme soda). We asked them if they had fruit punch for our son but the server said he could ask them to whip something similar up to apeze the little man. Their lunch menu consisted of seafoods, sanwiches, pasta, and steaks. I had the Crustacean Club, my husband- the seafood fettuccini, my daughter the Frutti De Mare. Our server reccommended those items. I have to say, he was very helpful as we were all pleased with our selections. The bread basket consisted of sweet bread and a ciabatta bread with lilikoi butter on the side. Our experience was excellent, it wasnt too busy and even with my preschooler being his usual loud self, the staff didnt seem to mind unlike other places. I would definitely eat here again. Btw you need to make sure you visit the restrooms, the toilets are awesome. LOL!

Janice C.

We were stunned by the interior of this place since it's unexpected judging from the outside - the location of the restaurant is kind of out of place. The food was good but not excellent, you come here more for the environment (with an ocean view). Service was great too!

Rise D.

OMG...FIVE STARS all around for 53 by the Sea! My friend and I went here for happy hour and we're definitely going back. Free valet parking, professional and warm staff, half off pupus on the menu, very clean, delicious food, and not to mention the gorgeous view! I was really amazed at everything, including the wait staff who used tongs to place straws into drinks and the super clean and high tech bathroom...the toilets had heated seats! How did I not know about this place before?! Such a perfect place for happy hour or a date. Can't wait to go back!

Aldina A.

This was a good place to go have dinner. Not only was the service awsome but the drinks were amazing!! Its right on the water so the view is great, the servers are always checking up on you, they even get the door for you on your way out! It is a little expensive but its worth it :)

Debra V.

I went for lunch with a group of women--about 14 of us. Keep that in mind when reading this.... They offer complimentary valet parking, which is great, because there's not much available space in the area. It's based on tipping only--and they did well! I don't have a/c in my car, it was a hot afternoon, and the valet kindly opened both my front windows before he turned my car back over to me. Bonus! The outside of the building is gorgeous! A -total- anomaly given the area. I was a little apprehensive walking in the double doors. They're incredibly tall (almost floor-to-ceiling type), and they are heavy. Definitely need to figure out a way to address that as I can't imagine an elegant place not having someone greet you at the door. I was one of the last to sit down with my party, but our server Tina, was incredibly nice about waiting for everyone. She introduced herself, and said we were her only table! She certainly treated us that way for the entire lunch. She was super attentive, very patient in explaining the menu, and checked back with us frequently enough to be attentive, but not overbearing. The view, of course, is amazing. It's light, airy, and complete windows from one end to the other. I don't think there is a single table that could have a bad view! They have banquettes cozy enough for 2, and tables that could host a small business get together. It's beautifully laid out! The menu is quite varied, but does lean towards the seafood. There were a range of prices and items to choose from, but most prices seemed to be in the high $20 to mid $30 range (with lobster tail available at $55!). All the options came with an amuse bouche, which ended up being a small shrimp with a deliciously spicy cocktail sauce, a thin slice of salami (I don't eat meat, but everyone said it was delicious), a small portion of mixed greens with a light vinaigrette dressing, and a small scallop with a light pesto sauce. All very light, very refreshing. My seafood club sandwich was served with a small salad, and the same dressing as the amuse bouche. My sandwich had fresh crab(!) and lobster(!) in addition to the standard bread, lettuce and tomatoes. All our lunches also came with a small scoop of pineapple sorbet with a fresh blackberry and fresh raspberry. The total for my lunch was about $40 (this included an automatic gratuity of 18%). The only thing that puzzled me was that I asked to see a dessert menu, and everything looked delicious, but Tina mentioned they only did their desserts at dinner. So imagine my surprise when I saw another server carrying out 2 amazing looking desserts. *sigh* Aww.... It's definitely pricey. I don't know how the prices compare for lunch and dinner, but I can guess they go up exponentially! The ambiance does help, and so does the amazing service, but I'd still save it for a special occasion. p.s.-yeah, women do need to check out the bathrooms, you really could spend a while in there!

Karen D.

Take one huge, elegantly appointed facility, add two pints of fabulous seaside view, a cup and a half of good food, a generous pinch of attentive service and you have 53 by the Sea. Located at the site of the former John Dominis location in Kaka'ako, 53 by the Sea is a respectable newcomer to the Honolulu fine dining scene. The menu is a classical preparation of Italian-inspired surf and turf--not innovative, but adequately polished. The first thing you notice about this location is that it really stands out--from the neighbors, that is. Located at the end of a street that is mostly brownfield and homeless encampment, the building is impressive. As you pass through the massive portals, you are greeted with a sweeping marble staircase, ornate wrought iron, and gold chandelier. However, unless you're there as part of a large group, you probably won't get to ascend those fabulous stairs to the private banquet facility on the second floor. That's OK because the table arrangement on the first floor places diners next to a glass wall overlooking Ala Moana and Waikiki to Diamond Head--just sitting in the dining room makes you feel like a VIP. Our group tried both "surf" and "turf" and were satisfied. Apart from a couple of slight bobbles by the waitstaff, service was very good, although food was very slow coming out from the kitchen. It's almost forgivable, though, as it allows the diner to enjoy an unhurried, sumptuous dining experience (with lavish prices to match). Free valet service is also a nice touch. 53 by the Sea is a good choice for a romantic meal or for a business deal when you really want to impress someone. If you can, go before sundown to take full advantage of the stunning ocean view. Yelp 365 Challenge 224/365

Tyler H.

Great view over the ala moana beach and diamond head, service were nice, lunch menu is quiet affordable. There are seat with bench-like sofa for couples side by side. Recommended for special occasion.

Monthakan B.

I dont know why this place has such bad reviews :\ We went there last night (1/17/13) and had an awesome time celebrating the BF Bday! Our rez was at 5:45PM, we showed up early and was seated right away :) Our servers was Beckie and Scott and they both were awesome!! We ordered the 53 SF platter and Cold Lobster w/Nalo Greens for Appertizer, it was very good. For Entree, we both had the Specials of the day: UKU and MOI. It was DELISH!!! Their drinks selections were pretty good too. The BF really enjoyed the cocktails and I absolutely LOVED the Pear Matini. (Not on a menu but they can make one for you!) Best pear martini ever! Thanks, Scott for that! And the complimentary Bday dessert was sooooo good! First time eating Poha Berry! Was delish :) Cant wait to go back!

Jim C.

Great setting. Reasonably good food, but not worth the price Seafood Showcase app says portioned for 2, but told they would portion for 3, $45 for very little seafood, 2pcs of many things for 3 people. Very pretentious staff. Obviously their mission is to impress tourists

Vince B.

"Fifty Three by The Sea" is one class act. I loved it ! I have a feeling that our recent lunch there was the first of many lunches to come at 53 by The Sea. This was a great meal for $20 and a surprise of the nicest kind. A one of a kind Five Star prix fixe fine dining lunch special that is not likely to be topped in this city. yelp.com/biz_photos/LEmN… In fact, I can't wait to go back for dinner and experience 53 by The Sea during the evening when the lights are dimmed. I would also like to experience the bar area (inside and out) and enjoy the music. Location Location: "53 by The Sea" replaced the legendary John Dominis Restaurant which opened about 1979. Only us "senior" Yelpers ever got to experience John Dominis in it's prime. It was quite a place in it's day. In recent years it was declining a bit as everyone knew the plans were to close it. But, the location was and is completely amazing. Kakaako Waterfront looking towards Diamond Head with a good view of the HHV fireworks on friday nights. Constant parade of boats entering and leaving the Harbor. Beautiful. Similar concept: So "53 by The Sea" kept the ocean view restaurant idea and continued and enhanced the wedding chapel side business which caters mostly to Japanese visitors. However, they switched the restaurant theme to Italian. Italian, yes, but they do seem to emphasize seafood to a degree. "53 by The Sea" also increases the level of the "fine dining" experience from the previous restaurant. Fine Dining: It seems that the definition of "fine dining" has evolved over time. Most current "fine dining" restaurants offer bits and pieces of the total experience. "53 by The Sea" does well at finding a happy medium. Although I can be completely independent and don't mind getting my own water, so I don't get scolded by the "AKL"...LOL!, I can never experience enough special treatment when it is offered while dining. Lunch Specials: Lunch's are all based on this prix fixe menu and include the appetizer cart, entree and set dessert or sorbet. Wine list and bar is available. Iced tea and coffee are included. Prices from $19 to $32. Soup of the day available at $8. That is the only option. Quality: Very nice selection of anti-pasta appetizers. Prosciutto and sausage that was thinly sliced. A turkey salad plus a grilled eggplant salad and crostini with tomato. Two types of warm bread were also included. We tried two different entrees. Daughter tried the Homemade Fettuccine with Sausage and Tomato Sauce. She said it was perfect. She liked the noodles and the sauce. She said that it plus the appetizers were probably the best things she had ever eaten!! yelp.com/biz_photos/LEmN… My wife and I both picked the "Sauteed fresh catch fish with seafood stew" based on the waiter's suggestion. Sauteed fish plus squid, clams and shrimp in a spicy tomato sauce. We both enjoyed this a lot. The flavors were perfectly balanced. yelp.com/biz_photos/LEmN… Much more than a simple generic italian sauce. 5 Stars from each of us as these were great dishes. Dessert: c'est bon: yelp.com/biz_photos/LEmN… Service: Waiter was experienced, friendly, helpful and efficient. Cloth napkins placed on the lap for all customers. Excess dishes removed quickly. Small bowl placed to receive shells from seafood stew. Bread crumbs removed from the table with a little scraper. All requests dealt with immediately. Waiter and staff left diners to eat in peace once everything was set. Management visible and helped serve the food quickly once the entree's were ready. There was one "hiccup" during our dining experience. It was handled quickly and professionally and as a result I won't mention it. Just like in life...unexpected things happen to us all. It is how one responds that is important. These guys are good! Value: Lunch is an amazing value. Where else will you find a $19 all inclusive meal at an ocean front Italian Villa with a view of Diamond Head. Dinner is prix fixe or ala carte and of course much more expensive. This review is for the Lunch Menu. Wine List: I'm not qualified to critique the wine list but it looked well thought out to me. I tried a humble glass of Italian Pinot Grigio. At $8 it was the least expensive wine listed but it was excellent. In fact, it was so good I had another glass! If the cheapest glass of humble wine is this good.....I hope Kalani C. gets a chance to eat here and talk to the sommelier. He can fill us in on the wine list.

Jude A.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly! The good is the fabulous view. The bad was the food, it took forever, was sparse and nothing special. The ugly was the next day - lets just call it a "Fancy Flush." We arrived 10 minutes early, were directed to the bar and told they'd come for us as soon as our table was ready. An hour later, the bartender personally went to inquire for us. I asked the young lady who finally seated us, why it took so long to be seated, she ignored my inquiry but I asked again, and she blamed the bartender. They have wedding chapels, and private banquet rooms upstairs, serving as a wedding venue marketed to Japanese couples. My guess is they consider local guests as one time only patrons, now we understand and we won't return. I'd prefer a picnic by the seaside and the view would be just as beautiful. Save your money!

Shelley S.

Best Place To Hear Women Giggling In the Bathroom. OMG, this was THE most hilarious bathroom experience ever. Upon entering the stalls, the three of us were greeted with electronic Japanese toilets with buttons for "washing," "drying" and "oscillating." Wow. Upon using the various options, spontaneous giggling began pouring out of the stalls. I attempted "washing," and was treated to a delicate *spray* of water on my lady parts, but the drying was just too much. I was laughing so hard I *COULDN'T* pee! You simply must experience it. Oh, and the cocktails were good too.

Raych D.

*HONESTLY...I REALLY WANTED TO LIKE THIS PLACE, BUT WAS DISAPPOINTED* Let's begin: Called a few days before Christmas to make rsvp on Christmas night but the hostess said "we are completely booked, we are no longer taking reservations but you can come to our bar area and order there with first come, first serve basis"..of course I was disappointed but me and the bf did just that. We came there last night around 8:15pm last night (Christmas day), parked on the street, checked in and got a seat at the bar, hoping to get a table a little after 9pm which the hostess said "after our 9pm reservations we could probably fit you in which was fine but after looking around at the dining table and all those empty tables not being used for more than half an hour, we both got so annoyed so the bf talked to the manager to see if we could get a table soon. Although both our bartender were very nice to us, we just wanted the fine dining experience in the dining room area especially when there were so many empty tables not being used. Luckily we got a table around 9:15pm...after an hour of waiting and hearing the manager say "it'll be a few minutes for your table" LIES! I honestly don't understand what the point of those Asian dudes in those tight suits are for because majority of the time all they did was walk around to who knows where. Our waiter was good and professional...just a little slow in getting our bread and food. Busers as well were good BUT when we asked for more of the sweet bread he DID NOT deliver. I mean seriously it's not so hard to get us another basket of bread when it wasn't that busy. Food: Excellent! We got the ($30) seafood showcase appetizer which comes with half a lobster, seared scallops, fresh poke, crab and hamachi sashimi...really fresh and good portion for two. For our entrees I got the opakapaka with Okinawan sweet potato ($30) which was soo good! I ate it all up, regardless of the small portion. As for the bf he got the 8oz rib-eye with side of rice ($35 +$3). He said his rib-eye was good, but it had to much fat on it and the vegetables was literally only 4 small pieces of carrots, string beans and a broccolli...for his sauce he got the wine reduction..I will say that it was a good portion steak with the price he paid. We opted to skip dessert because nothing Wow'd us. I will say that the Moscato wine they carry is awesome! And they carried this white owl Japanese beer. I didn't get a chance to check the bathroom out but the front entrance stairwell was insanely nice! Bottom line: Good food, Nice fancy ambiance & great view...But slow and lame service! Yes, I get that it was Christmas night but it wasn't that busy and for them to keep us waiting at the bar with open tables not being used was a NO NO. And making us wait a while for our bread, food and check was not cool.

Al M.

Awesome awesome awesome! Great food, great view, great service. Dirk our waiter/host is awesome & deserves to be a manager or something. Was there for my cousins wedding brunch & it will not be my last. The opah red curry was incredible! Everything made fresh & with high quality.

Richard Y.

The food was above average. Most memorable dish for me was the crab, Rich and tasty. Sautéed mushrooms was one of the best I've tasted.

Kyle H.

The good: Good food, service, and views The bad: Valet only, prices are a bit high The fiancee and I went to 53 by The Sea a few weeks ago for her birthday. This was our first visit to this new Italian restaurant that took over the former John Dominis location. That being said, it is a given that this restaurant will have great views, but more on that later. This first thing you'll notice as you pull up to the restaurant is how it looks like a European manor. The building is very imposing and features a fountain and an oversized doorway. Upon entering, you'll first notice a large, grand staircase as the European manor/palace theme continues inside. The host stand is off to the right of the staircase. Beyond the staircase is the dining room with magnificent floor to ceiling windows. What surprised me the most, though, was the size of the dining room. It is TINY considering its size compared to the overall building. There is, however, a large bar and an impressive wine case. The atmosphere here is a tad on the formal side, with elegant table settings and formalwear clad waitstaff. Noise levels can be a bit loud, but is overall pleasant. Service is also professional and courteous. In fact, when I asked for a recommendation on my appetizer, our waiter didn't recommend the most expensive item and gave compelling reasons why to order each of his recommendations. So... for my appetizer, I ordered the arugula salad ($9). I wasn't that hungry to begin with and wanted to start with something small, so this was perfect. The nutty, peppery arugula went well with the light, lemony citrus red wine vinaigrette it was tossed in, tomatoes, and red onion. My fiancee ordered the night's special soup: a light saffron soup full of seafood ($10). She was very happy with her selection, though I didn't try any of it. We also split the Proscuitto & Pecorino plate ($20), which seemed overly expensive, but was really enough to feed 4! It came with Proscuitto, Sopresata, and Salami, and was garnished with Kalamata & green olives and young Pecorino Cheese over Pane Carasau. For our entrees, I ordered the By the Sea Spaghettinni Frutti di Mare ($26). This was a red sauce spaghettinni that usually comes spicy (but I ordered mild) topped with shrimp, scallop, crabmeat, clams, squid, and mussels. It was good, but a bit heavy. I also couldn't find any crabmeat. That being said, the dish was tasty with all components cooked well. That being said, I prefer the similar spaghetti alla pescatora at Arancino di Mare. It's a little more expensive ($29) in a not as nice atmosphere, but it has more seafood, so to me is a better value. My fiancee, on the other hand, ordered another special for her entree. She had moi filet cooked in browned butter and capers. This dish was EXCELLENT and I'd recommend you order this if it's available. The filet is served skin on, though the skin is crisped up very well. Thus, you get a great crunch from the skin, with super soft, moist meat. The brown butter adds a nice richness, while the capers add a nice brininess. The moi is served with roasted vegetables. For dessert, I ordered a mango sorbet ($8), which was good. My fiancee was given a sampler plate for her birthday, and her plate had the same sorbet in a lilikoi sauce and fruit. This was way better than the plain sorbet and I think they should serve the regular item in this way. Her plate also contained the tiramisu and lemon cream cake. i didn't try either, but she was happy with it. While I miss the John Dominis, 53 by the Sea is an acceptable replacement. The food and service are great, while the wine list is impressive. A larger menu selection would be appreciated. Would I return? Of course! Note: the one thing that hasn't changed from the John Dominis is the valet only parking...

Chelsea G.

I am a sucker for fine dinning with great views! So when my boyfriend and I so happened to pass by this mansion looking architecture while visiting Kakaako park, I was nosey and wanted to see what this place was about! I searched for the restaurant for more details (on Yelp of course) and seen great reviews. Called for an appointment immediately, and was disappointed to find out that Friday early evening was already booked :( I was hoping to see the FIREWORKS from Waikiki while dining. Anyway, I figured to dress up the part, because this place was IMMACULATE! Only $5 for Valet, but we decided to park on the streets because there was ample free parking anyway. Walked in to two very tall double doors to the inside ball area. Immediately in front of us was the gorgeous stairway with a crystal chandelier. We checked in right away. We got seated within 10 minutes from our reservation. We were very amuzed to find this place very intimate, cozy and a live band playing to the far right. We were seated on a plush white couch/chair, seated next to each other and in front on the window viewing the kakaako/diamond head views, VERY IMPRESSED. We were impressed by the setting, now the food... $22 for my mushroom risotto, $56 for our 16oz prime rib to share and $13 for my Chardonnay. Of course, we were offered complimentary bread which included an assortment of walnut bread, poi/taro bread and french with oil and balsamic vinegar. The food was AWESOME!! And we both moped ALL the food out of our plate. 5 Stars to the food! Although we were not celebrating any special occasion, they did offer us COMPLIMENTARY dessert!! How nice! Service was EXCELLENT! I love how they treated us like tourists even though we were locals! I would most definitely recommend this place for FINE DINING lovers!

Emma R.

My boyfriend took me here for my birthday and it was amazing! The service was impeccable and the food was excellent! I loved the huge doors and grand staircase. I definitely recommend coming here!! Great place to bring your significant other to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or any other special occasion.

Janicr B.

I have to say I was disappointed in our dinning experience at 53 By The Sea. I ordered the Maine Lobster, I was given the option to purchase the whole Lobster for an additional $11.00 as there were 3 of us at dinner I thought that would be a good idea so I could share. Well... What I was served was a tiny tiny tiny "Maine" Lobster. Apparently they are growing them on the big island and calling them "Maine Lobsters". Did I feel ripped off? Ya I did. I've had Maine lobster, this was not even close. Our server largely ignored us and we waited 20 minutes to order another drink. We will not go back.

Cathy B.

This restaurant is absolutely beautiful and we had a great seating with a view. I enjoyed the entrees we had, scallops for me and 53 Chicken for my hubby,we shared a mushroom risotto. That combination was delicious to share. I didn't care for the fish carpaccio, tasted fresher fish. the mixed green salad is delish. The wine pours are rather small in my opinion. The service was great and quick, but I notice a high ratio of japanese tourists. I notice they got the tables by the windows. I also know they get a higher level of service. All in all, it was a good experience and would recommend this restaurant

Lily B.

I fell in love with John Dominis and really hoped 53 By The Sea would be just as amazing, but sadly, it is not. Celebrated my birthday here with my wonderful friends. Complimentary valet parking. The view, of course, is gorgeous. The restaurant is breathtaking and beautiful. But the glory ends. yelp.com/user_local_phot… Complimentary bread to start. yelp.com/user_local_phot… Ahi sashimi is sub par and. Does not come with any sauce. You have to ask for shoyu/wasabi. yelp.com/user_local_phot… Seafood platter. Average. yelp.com/user_local_phot… Lobster bisque. My friend liked this. yelp.com/user_local_phot… Ahi. My friend said it was okay. yelp.com/user_local_phot… Opakapaka. Overcooked. yelp.com/user_local_phot… Veal. Different. yelp.com/user_local_phot… Fruit de mer. She liked this. yelp.com/user_local_phot… Fresh catch (moi). My BF ordered this. Dry. yelp.com/user_local_phot… New york steak. Okay. yelp.com/user_local_phot… Shrimp scampi (pesto). Average. yelp.com/user_local_phot… Filet mignon. WAY overcooked. Sent it back. yelp.com/user_local_phot… Ribeye. Not bad. yelp.com/user_local_phot… Mushroom risotto. I got this. Good. yelp.com/user_local_phot… Tiramisu. Average. yelp.com/user_local_phot… Chocolate cake with vanilla gelato. Average. yelp.com/user_local_phot… In a nut shell, the food was average. I expected more (with regard to taste AND presentation). Portions are small, but we expected this. I requested chicken breast on my mushroom risotto which I never got, yet I was charged for it (this was later removed). A couple dishes were sent back for either not having any flavor or for being overcooked. We had to ask for several items (shoyu/wasabi/sugar/utensils). Our MAIN server, a female (forgot her name) was unprofessional and RUDE. If you have a large party, you can only split the bill 4 ways. Fair enough. We were figuring out who to put on which bill since we had a large party, and apparently she became impatient and said 'okay you two, you four, you two, you four' pointing her finger at us and then she walked away. She was less than friendly during dinner and less than helpful, so this was the last straw. Soooo of course I spoke to the manager about it. He seemed a bit more confused than anything. The gentleman HELPING our main server was AMAZING (forgot his name - sorry) and I wished I could tip HIM instead of her because she clearly did NOT deserve the tip, nor did she earn it as he did all the work. The poor attitude she displayed as well as the lack of professionalism was NOT something I (or anyone else at the table) expected during dinner at an establishment of this caliber. It definitely left a damper at the end of our meal (my birthday dinner!), and of course a lasting impression (negative of course!) on us as diners. As we were waiting for our cars, the manager came out to apologize again, and this time he seemed more coherant and sincere. He said he would speak to her at the end of the night and discuss her behavior. I appreciated the fact that he spoke to us before we left. Out of all of us (12 people), 1 would return. I have NEVER received such horrible service during dinner at such a nice restaurant. My hard earned money will definitely be spent elsewhere. Ohhhh John Dominis... we miss you. :(

Malia H.

This place has been open for about a month (its in the location of where John Dominis used to be) The reviews have been mostly positive and the photos looked appetizing. I mentioned to my boyfriend that I wanted to go here for our anniversary so we decided to have lunch...this way we could enjoy the view in the day and I'll be honest and admit it...lunch was probably less expensive. So here we are driving in the run down area of Kaka'ako and we come to this huge beautiful Italian looking villa. The outside of the building is simply breathtaking, with the water fountain and the huge doors. There is no self parking and only valet (no fee but gratuity of course). Once you open the doors, you see a beautiful chandelier and grand staircase that belongs in a mansion. The front hostess is a little further as you walk in to the right who you may not even see because right away you are treated to a wonderful ocean and Diamond Head view from their large windows. We didn't have reservations but were seated right away. We were seated at the very far end of the restaurant so we walked past quite an extensive wine room and many elegant white and gold decorated tables. They have tables with two chairs and a a cozy booth with pillows or just tables with chairs as well. I can't help but repeat the view was amazing. Our waiter was very attentive and helpful. The lunch menu was brief (see photo) and didn't really give descriptions so our waiter was more than happy to go over each dish or answer any questions. I didn't want to be an annoying guest so I just asked about a couple of dishes I was interested in. Also he mentioned that everything is fresh (nothing frozen) and they try to use a lot of local ingredient and produce (thumbs up for living local!). We ordered our entrees and our waiter said he will be right back with the antipasto cart. So during lunch you begin with your waiter bringing a cart of antipasto appetizers (we had 5, I'm not sure if the amount varies but the dishes may). On the cart was: 1. prosciutto and salami- a little salty but tasty 2. bow tie pasta- it was good but no wow factor 3. shrimp with scallops and onions in some pinkish sauce (can't remember what type)-this was my favorite, the cold scallops and shrimp were succulent and 4. seasoned well 5. mahimahi mousse with a crispy lavish type item- I don't know what to make of this...it was unusual and I didn't care for the bald taste or consistency. But I think people will love it or hate it. medley of roasted veggies- how can you go wrong. Yum! The waiter will dish a little of everything or just the ones you want onto a plate to share on your table. For my entree I ordered the sautéed fresh catch (ehu- red snapper shorttail) with seafood stew which had mussels, shrimp, clams and calamari in a tomato based stew. The seafood was fresh. The fish was in a light batter below the seafood stew and it was moist and soft. I was very happy with my selection. My boyfriend ordered the veal marsala and he enjoyed his too (I didn't get to taste it since I was too focused on my meal!). Lunch also came with dessert. While we were waiting for dessert, I decided to got to the ladies' restroom. OMG they had the Japanese Toto toilets...the ones with the seat warmer, bidet, etc. I was impressed...I wasn't the only one since another local lady was taking a picture of the bathroom stall too! When I got back to the table, our dessert still had not came but our waiter came and apologized and said it would be out shortly. From having our dishes cleared to our dessert arriving, it was about 20 minutes. The restaurant wasn't even half full so I'm not sure if there was an issue or they just like to space it out (I'm a eat and where's the next course and run kinda girl). But I must say the dessert was well worth the wait... Panna cotta and coconut sorbet with a raspberry and blood orange coulis. It wasn't overpowering or too sweet. The dish was artistically arranged and everything went well together. This was one of the best desserts I have ever had (well I am a but subjective since I love panna cotta and coconut). In summary, the view and ambiance is magnificent. The food was top notch and the service was excellent (a little leisurely but that's just my personal view). I believe they are a bit pricey but you are paying for the freshness, quality and of course ambiance and view. The price you pay is well worth it, at least I can say for lunch it is. I can't wait to come back and hope they do change their antipasto dishes so I can try something different. Dinner is probably more expensive than lunch, but I would still like to come back to have the dinner experience. 53 by the sea...you had me... at hello!

Nadia K.

I've been waiting patiently to check this place out since it's opening and finally the stars aligned (convinced husband, booked babysitter, and made reservation) for a 6pm dinner on a Saturday. As we walked up the steps to the restaurant, they opened these ginormous double doors for us. So impressive. The staircase was elegant and beautiful. They had a nice table for two waiting for us and we were seated next to each other on a bench-like chair. It was very comfortable and gave us a really pretty view of the ocean. There was no beer on draft so my husband ordered a peroni and I had a glass of muscato. We ordered the seafood platter, calamari salad, soup of the day (a tomato seafood bisque), moi, 6oz filet, and for dessert, the tiramisu and lemon tart. I'm not a big seafood person but I enjoyed the platter and I really liked the salad. I love fried calamari. My husband couldn't stop raving about the moi and I enjoyed my steak. Husband said you could tell it wasn't dry aged. I couldn't tell that it was or wasn't. It was tender and juicy and the blue cheese spinach sauce was yummy! They had a pianist playing and it just added to the ambience of the restaurant. We had excellent service and it just made for such a nice dining experience. The only downside was because we were facing the window we could see all these tiny drain flies on the window. It was bearable at first, but when one landed in my husband's beer and the shoo-ing became more constant, we asked to be moved. Maybe ecolab hasn't been installed just yet. I also had the prenotion that it was going to be super expensive, but I was pleased to find out that it's comparable to dining at a place like Ruth Chris (actually less expensive in our case). They had a good number of choices in the different menu categories of pasta, chicken, fish, and steak. We look forward to when the stars align again.

Goldie L.

What a beautiful place to celebrate our six month anniversary! I judge fine dining restaurants by their bathrooms and 53 by the Sea definitely meets my high standards. Service is superb. Complimentary valet parking is also offered. It was a pleasure dining here. We were only a party of two so we had good seating. Great dining place to be on a Friday night for Hilton's weekly fireworks. The restaurant dims its lights at 7:45pm for spectacular viewing of this event. For dinner, we sampled their tuna carpaccio, mushroom risotto, and the seabass. I was definitely a fan of the risotto. For desert, we had the chocolate eggplant (not bad!) and a desert platter compliments of 53 by the Sea. Thank you once again for the lovely surprise.

Haein P.

Talk about wining and dining in style! My well-networked boyfriend managed to get an invitation to the soft opening of this restaurant with any and all food and drinks on the house. Yes, you read that correctly, on the house - f.r.e.e. woot woot! Granted, this was their opportunity to have a trial run for their restaurant operations and service. However, by the end of the meal, I felt more than happy to pay for the whole experience - it was so wonderful. I'm sure our server left work with heavy pockets in tips though. From the moment we stepped out of the car, it was as if we had travelled into a fairy tale. From the flooring of the parking lot to the castle-like building, I felt too inadequate and clumsy (my boyfriend pointed out these random water stains I had on my dress, thank you very much) to be ushered into this castle by our generous host, Tony. Once in the palace, the chandeliers and marble staircase leave you speechless. It really feels like a Disney story of some sort. Definitely a smart business move to turn the old John Dominis into this type of lush wedding venue. Finally, we were seated at a two-seater couch facing the ocean. We came in at 6pm and were seated promptly. There is more than enough space between the tables to render the desired privacy as well as romantic ambiance. The view of the ocean was absolutely breathtaking. Our server as well as the other staff were extremely friendly, helpful, and hospitable. They could kill you with their kindness, I'm sure. We started off with the SEAFOOD PLATTER as our appetizer, which had a mouthwatering array of cold seafood (oysters, shrimp, lobster, sashimi) - how could you go wrong? the presentation was beautiful too, served on a clear, crystal-like platter with lovely garnishes/embellishments to the plate. The bread and butter that came complimentary was also delicious. With a choice between three types of bread (lavosh, focaccia, and french baguette), you were guaranteed to have one you liked, though all three were delicious and perfect for enticing your appetite. Per our server's recommendation, the BF ordered the LOBSTER PASTA, which was fantastic! It came on this rustic-looking serving dish and was de-shelled table-side and then mixed into the pasta with all the flavor and juices. The pasta was cooked perfectly al dente (it's a huge pet-peeve of ours when pasta is overcooked) and the lobster was succulent and married well with the pasta, basil, garlic, etc. I ordered the OPAKAPAKA with other seafood, which came out to resemble something of a cioppino, which I absolutely love. The scallops, shrimp, baby octopus were all cooked wonderfully and simmered in the tomato-based stew for a most satisfying meal. The only issue I had with my dish was that I found the fish to be slightly overcooked, rendering it dryer than I'd prefer...But, this was such a minor issue that could easily be overlooked when considering all other aspects of this dining experience. Mid-meal we got to watch the weekly Friday fireworks go off at the Hilton Hawaiian Village across the ocean, it was the most romantic and stunning sight that completely topped off the meal. For DESSERT, we had the 53 BY THE SEA TART and the VANILLA EMPANADA WITH LOCAL HONEY (I can't remember the exact name), but both were delicious. I wouldn't say that dessert is their particular forte, but they definitely satisfied my insatiable sweet tooth. POST-MEAL, we decided to head over to the bar for some cocktails. They had 3 specialty cocktails they were serving that evening that were on-the-house and I found the 2 I tried to be fresh and well-crafted. I believe one of them was called "Twinkle by the Sea" and it was made with limoncello and freshly-muddled raspberries to impart a tart and vibrant cocktail that awoke your senses, particularly after a heavier meal. The other drink was something of a twist on a Singapore Sling, which was also very well-made and perfect for the post-meal night cap. With the lack of quality fine dining restaurants in Hawaii and the occasionally ho-hum dining out scene we have, 53 by the Sea is definitely a nice addition that can make any guy and girl feel like royalty. Yes, even the most klutzy/uncoordinated ones (*eh hem*).

Charles B.

Great atmosphere with wonderful views of Diamond Head. Very courteous staff and excellent service. Food was well cooked and flavorful though portions a little on the small side. Price was on the high side but was worth it for the service and atmosphere. Set meal gives you more value for the money.

P C.

I'm not the biggest fan of this place. I mean it's gorgeous. From the moment you pull into the driveway, it's like wow these guys spent some money to build this. Inside too, the decor, grand staircase, views, the bathrooms, etcetraetceteralalala. The Food is decent. They have good seafood, good meat dishes, again etc, etc. Service is fine. But my mom loves this place. She says wow so nice here like 10 times. My S.O. loves this place. She feels it's like the nicest restaurant in hawaii. So I go somewhat reluctantly...well, actually very reluctantly since I gotta pay the bill. And that leads me to pricing here. It's more for less. One example is the filet. It's smaller than premium steakhouses and more expensive. And of course, not quite as perfect. The menu is also indicative of their mission, me thinks. They have a couple pasta dishes, couple of this, and couple of that. It's geared to ensure that there is something for everyone. So at the end, that's what gets me. They do a lot of things fine but they don't excel at anything which is the expectation when u drive up to this grand marble palace. 3.5 stars. Can't complain about anything. just not exceptional either.

Janelle W.

My coworkers have been raving about this place for months, so I finally decided to give it a try on my birthday. From my experience, this place would get 5 stars for drinks, food and the view, 4 stars for the service and 3 for the ambience. The complimentary valet parking is great, and you really feel like a VIP when you walk through their giant double doors and take in the gorgeous staircase and chandelier in the entrance hall. I was slightly irritated that even with a reservation we ended up waiting almost 20 minutes to get seated, but it did give us a chance to check out the bar area. I ordered one of their cocktails - the Strawberry Basil Lemonata. If I hadn't watched the bartender mix it, I wouldn't have believed there was alcohol, it was so smooth. There was a live pianist which was nice, and since we were there on a Friday they actually turned the lights off for a few minutes when the Hilton Hawaiian Village fireworks show came on. Perfect view of them, with the Waikiki city lights as the backdrop. The service was pretty good, but we did have to ask for drink refills multiple times which was a little frustrating. Everything we ate was phenomenal, from the green papaya salad to our entrees (I had the grilled opakapaka with okinawan sweet potato puree while my mom and her boyfriend had the filet mignon) to the dessert (creme brulee, chocolate lava cake with homemade vanilla bean gelato, tiramisu and their "fruit soup" - don't judge, half of these were complimentary because it was my birthday). Next time I definitely want to try one of their seafood pastas. Portion sizes aren't huge so don't expect leftovers, but the flavors are so satisfying you won't feel like you're missing out. The only real drawback for me was the noise level of the place. Maybe it was because of the live piano music and the fact that it was a Friday night, but with the dining area completely packed we felt like we had to shout a little to hear each other. If I had been there for a romantic date, I think it would have been distracting and a bit of a buzzkill. So if you're doing date night, maybe pick a less popular day/time. I've heard good things about their lunch specials. Final tip - the bathrooms are mind-blowingly awesome. Heated toilet seats: need I say more?

Liane F.

Lunch review: It was raining (drizzling) and when we pulled up for valet, the valet guy opened our doors and escorted us to the restaurant with umbrellas. My boyfriend and I arrived half hour early and was able to be seated. We had a really good service with the staff. The only thing that bothered my boyfriend was that he felt rushed eat, we were half way finish with one course and the next dish would be out waiting in front of us. The reason why I am giving 3 stars is because of the quality of the food. I ordered the valentines day special drink and he ordered blue by the sea. It was ok. The hawaiian sweet bread was good. Then we had this tomato clam chowder, we agreed that was REALLY good. Our 4 piece hordierves consisted of a shrimp cocktail, mozzarella cheese and tomato, salami and ham (I think), and cracker with turkey salad. I only liked the cracker with turkey salad. The rest was just not as good. My boyfriend ordered a seafood pasta dish and it was just ok, mediocre. I ordered the crustcean club, it was better than his dish. Our desert was a raspberry sorbet, it sucked. The price we payed for the food was not worth it, but service was good and total we payed was about $120. Not worth coming back for the food though...

Jann Y.

The view at this restaurant is unbeatable! You have a direct view of diamond head and can even watch the surfers paddle out. I thought the food was pretty good, but not great. But, let's be real, in the end you're paying for the view. The portions are like a typical fancy restaurant so if you've got a big appetite, don't come here on an empty stomach.

Shelly i.

A beautiful view, spot on service in the restaurant (not so much at the entry and bar, but more on that), fabulous seafood, impeccable furnishings (including toilets) and a killer wine list makes 53 by the Sea a worthy date night destination. My husband and I decided on 53 for our much overdue first wedding anniversary. He had never heard of John Dominis so the first question he had as we made our way to 53 Friday night was, "There really is a restaurant here, right? You aren't planning on killing me and dumping me in Kewalo Basin?" Those suspicious questions (so much for one year of marriage building trust) dried up as we approached the beautiful, and completely new, building. In my opinion they need to add a staffer to the front. There are three HUGE sets of wooden doors that looked heavy and intimidating. It would have been nice to get an assist with that. Also, the single hostess at the front was on the phone when we approached and seemed really busy. Maybe there was another host/hostess running around but we never saw one. We were early so we sat at the bar for half-an-hour. The younger Asian bartender was personable but left us waiting a while and scooped the ice to chill my hubby's martini with a glass! That's a big no no because it could result in shards of glass in the ice and you would never be able to tell (because ice and glass are virtually identical looking). That wasn't a problem with my drink because I had one of those cool spherical ice balls that looks like hail on steroids. The young haole bartender was more on it and even went up front to check when our table would be ready. Once we got to our table the service was a lot better. Our server, Nelson, was really nice and had his timing down. The sommelier spent a lot of time at our table helping us choose a bottle based on what we were planning on ordering and our preferences (hubs likes Chiantis and I like South African and Australian reds). Now down to the food! We ordered the 53 seafood platter, moi, veal chop, broccolini, sauteed mushrooms, and honey cheese pie with vanilla bean gelato. In order my take on these dishes was: get it; best fish I ever had; properly executed but on the bland side; perfectly cooked but bitter; yummy and not using butter a a crutch like most places; and good gelato, don't waste your time or calories with the pies. Is it annoying how I spend so much time remarking on the service and just one paragraph on the food? Honestly, if I were to chose this place over the other fine dining establishments of its caliber (Chef Marvo, Le Bistro, La Mer) it's going to be because of the service, not the food. Next time I will definitely order fish or pasta, which I hear are their specialties. And indeed the moi my husband ordered was the best fish I'd ever tasted. It was perfectly crispy and tender and awesome. Too bad the times we can afford to drop 300+ for a night out (which isn't bad for drinks, appetizer, a bottle of wine, two entrees, and dessert) are few and far between.

Paul K.

Not very impressed and nothing memorable? Been anxious to go since they opened and heard mixed messages but was excited about going. The staff were friendly but parts of our order we're never brought to our table!? No apology just an acknowledgement. For those prices is of hoped for more graciousness and consideration. Not impressed at all especially for the prices on that menu. :( but wanted to try it once!

Leo G.

Beautiful decor, a great view of the evening Waikiki fireworks... Dinner service was par for the image I believe they want to convey, but I wouldn't go as far as to say excellent. I had the diver scallops, which were cooked perfectly just past medium-rare, just as I like them. One of my companions had the shrimp and crab leg platter, also cooked perfectly. My other companion didn't fare as well. His ribeye, which was ordered medium (yeah, I know...) was on the less-cooked side of medium-rare. We all agreed that the flavors seemed a little flat. The plating also lacked visual appeal. Our dinner was by no means bad, but a knock here, another there... At the prices you pay here, I can't afford to come back to give them a second chance--not when there are so many other upscale dining options doing it right.

Lorene P.

We went there for the first time on my birthday. We decided against the price fix menu and went Ala carte since the entire party would have had to choose the pride fix menu. Excellent presentation, ample sized portions for females. Our daughter and mother couldn't finish the filet Mignon or catch of the day (opakapaka). The filet was prepared just right and tasty. The house salad was meh. The spicy escargot stuffed mushroom was just ok, not spicy, very mild. The Diver Scallops were delish. The three small crab cakes were ok. The ambiance and view was superb. The veggies and mushrooms with the entree were tasty. We didn't leave feeling over stuffed. I was given a complimentary slice of strawberry chiffon cake with the words happy birthday in chocolate. FYI. The Banana Bread Pudding was rather dry and firm. The hot chocolate cake was delish. The fireworks show from the Hilton Hawaiian Village goes off at 7:45pm, so hopefully you'll get to see that from the gorgeous view of Kewalos surf break and Diamond Head. The service was excellent. The staff even assisted us with taking a group pic on the lanai and even suggested the photo be taken after sundown. Head.

Yee Ting W.

came here when it first opened a few years back in 2012...this use to be the old John Dominis..this place is where you would want to take your date to if you want to impress whether for dinner or after dinner cocktail drinks (bar)...the exterior is this beautiful mansion like the ones out of a fairytale book and the dining area has a 360 degree waterfront view of kakaako...be sure to come with a deep pocketbook because spare change won't cut it...food and service is exceptional..will be planning my sisters bachelorette/bridal party here with a pre-fixe menu in private dining and probably update my review then...

Mark H.

Umm, I went at night after the sun went down so not much to see on the ocean except blackness. Now that we take the view out of the equation. I have to rate my dining experience on the food and the service. I think the service deserved four stars. Our server(s) were attentive and patient. They were very willing to take the time to explain their food offerings, and thoroughly explained in great detail too! But I have to agree with other yelpers that when you are in a fine dining restaurant, the servers should speak more formally. The service was good though.... very polite, courteous, and extremely catering. But i think for the entire fine dining experience, their speaking style was out of place for a fine dining establishment. I don't have much to write about the food. I thought the lobster bisque was good. The escargot stuffed mushrooms were different and a delight to try. Instead of the usual buttery taste, it was tomato sauce based--A good change of pace. But there was a consensus of dissatisfaction with the main entrees. The chicken breast was delish and was the exception. I ordered the veal chop (one of their signatures )and didn't think it was anything special. We also ordered the lobster pasta dish and the lobster was undercooked by about 5 minutes. Their opakapaka was very ordinary. I have to rate the food 2.5 stars because their menu certainly has room for improvement...

Shay F.

WoW! Eating here makes me feel like a princess! If you want a view, go early because once it gets dark, you can't really see much. It's kinda cool if you go on a Friday... then you can see the Waikiki fireworks off in the distance. I had the seafood chowder and shutome (fish). I thought both dishes were deliciously prepared. I think the servers need some training though. I counted... there were at least 4 utensil drops/glass drops. That's a lot IMHO.

Bonnie O.

Little know secret: The REAL name for 53 by the Sea is Deb's Palace. That's what my good friend and owner of Avance told me. She also said we MUST visit her new fave local restaurant. Considering you never say "no" to Debs and her all-time NYC Goto is La Bernadin we hightailed it over the very next night. We opted to sit at the bar instead of going for a full dining experience. The bartenders rocked. Keahi is a definite asset to this establishment. Attentive without hovering and his recommendations were spot on. We started with the escargot-stuffed mushrooms. MMmmMMmm. The sauce is to live for! This was followed by the Hearts of Romaine salad. This was too mayonnaise-y for me. Next came the chilled seafood platter. Lobster and kamachi sashimi was flavorful and sweet. Fiancé enjoyed the oysters, scallops and other morsels I decided to pass on. We rounded the evening off with a bowl of homemade fettuccine and pork sausage. YES! YES! This is finally the pasta I crave for! The chewy, fresh noodle with a perfectly seasoned, creamy, tomato-y sauce! O m g. Pardon me as I wipe the drool off my chin. Sooooo good. Live music nightly. View is spectacular. Clear shot of the surfers on Kewalos. Perfect position for the Hilton Fireworks on Friday nights. Architecture is too pretentious for me (more of an Ossipoff girl here) but hey! It is Deb's palace and makes her tingle! Staff: 7 Food: 4.5 Ambiance: 4.5

Keola m.

First off ... this place looks like a MANSION! Located at the old John Dominis site but, totally redone. Actually, down went the old building and up came a MANSION! Now, if you have been to the old John Dominis you already know the view is SPECTACULAR! and if you havent .... let me just tell you .... the view is SPECTACULAR! If you know me .. then you know Im all about the service. I loved the service here. Very attentive and our waitress also made some great suggestions and recommendations. FOOD, Escargot - Delicious Ahi Carpaccio - Lovely thick sliced pieces Rib Eye - Very good (your choice of sauces) but, my most favorite was the LAMB! The best Ive ever had. I must go back...so many more to try.

Addie L.

A very nice restaurant to take your other half for a special occasion. The views are superb, service is excellent, prices are reasonable for what you get, and very nice atmosphere (a bit overkill in my opinion, my wife says it reminds her of Vegas glitz and glamor, a contrast to the area). A few minor misses with the food makes this pretty close to 5 stars. We came here for lunch for our anniversary, they just started serving lunch last week. All entrees come with an appetizer and dessert. This is a great deal as most entrees run between $20 to $30. The iced tea was $7 and it comes for two, not a good deal, should have ordered a drink for that price. The appetizer is sampling of many dishes, with the star being prosciutto. The shrimp was ok but does not have a kick needed with a slight sweet and sour taste. The veggies were not bad, seafood spread was ok. For the entrees, I ordered lemon seafood (clams and mussel) risotto. The risotto was slightly undercooked, but the parts in the middle was perfect. A few more stirs in the pan would have made this perfect. Couldn't taste too much of the lemon, seafood taste was there. The clams and mussels were cooked perfectly. The clams had a few bits of sand, but that is expected. Good dish but not excellent. For my wife, she ordered the seafood stew. The star is the broth, very tasty and had a deep seafood flavor and a bit of a kick. The only bad thing is that the shrimp and scallops were a bit overcooked. Otherwise, it's a darn good dish and easy to overlook the minor flaws. For the dessert, we had the coconut sorbet, was homemade and excellent. The passion fruit sauce was awesome. Recommended!

Gspot H.

This place is amazing. The entry doors are something out of Wizzard of Oz, The View is flawless. Staff are proper and great. great place for a day date.

Christine K.

Most romantic dinner ever. My boyfriend took me there last October 2012 for my birthday, it was grand! When we pulled up, complimentary valet, two of them! Opened our doors, then walked us up to the grand doors that opened to a beautiful cascading staircase (think Dynasty era). We were seated by the window, beautiful atmosphere, walls of wine bottles, lovely lighting. Everyone dressed sophisticated, men in suits and ties. Just lovely and romantic. We had several places to go that night, so we slit an entree; the waitress cut our meat and veggies for us. It was so sweet. Everything was lovely. Then there was a complimentary dessert for my birthday, too! I loved being here. It was the most fantastic night ever! While this restaurant is known for seafood and American food, I have it under steakhouses, because this is what I love to have when I go out. Definitely good for a romantic date or group of friends for special occasion.

Sandy N.

Wow, what a beautiful restaurant! I would probably say it's the finest one in Hawaii. The owners must've spent a whole lot of money to renovate it because it looks nothing like John Dominis. Valet is free, of course don't forget gratuity! The view is breathtaking, makes me want to have my reception there! My sister wanted to have her daughter's 1st birthday party there but the private dining area only fits 40 people so couldn't accommodate the party of 100. My sister was bummed. We had a ladies' lunch here (including my 1 year old niece). We got the veal marsala, seafood pasta and the pesto shrimp scampi, in order of best dish. I loved how they give the small little cold appetizers to begin our meal. Then it's ended with dessert. The homemade lychee gelato was so refreshing, but the marble cake was sooo dry. They need to improve their cakes! The service is superb, noticed the details of them ironing the tablecloths. You just cannot beat the ambiance and view. I'm going here for lunch more often from now on!

Riki T.

Just went here for my birthday. The bf surprised me with this place, as I didn't even know it existed. It was quite a surprise as we drove through dark, and slightly creepy Kakaako area to find this place. It was like a shiny gem that popped out of nowhere from behind this huge electric tower thing. The decor was amazing! As someone noted "slightly cheesy", but I ate it up anyway. The ambiance there was lovely. The only sad thing is that we went at 7, and so our view of Diamond Head and Waikiki through the floor to ceiling windows was completely dark :( The nighttime sparkle of all the lights of the hotels was nice, but not as gorgeous as I bet it is when the sun is still up and/or setting. Sun sets on the opposite side though, so no sunset view here. Food was actually just ok. Seafood platter appetizer sounded amazing, but unfortunately everything was served cold (which is not how I like my pan-seared scallops and lobster). The Opakapaka I had was decent, and priced at $30, which I found to be moderate. I thought based on the decor that it would be at least $30-$40 for an entree but they ranged from $22 for a chicken marsala to $48 for rack of lamb, averaging at around $26 in general. Their appetizers were at least $20 though, which I found kind of pricey for an appetizer, especially if there were entrees available for only a few more bucks. Wine selection was extensive. In short, go for the ambiance, not necessarily the food. And to play with the bidet toilets complete with control panel :P

Flynt I.

Spectacularly beautiful view of Wakiki and Diamond Head (especially when lit up by the setting sun). Impressively grand building but a bit too "European-esque" for Hawaii, so it does stand out (to put it mildly). Food is good (but not GREAT). Prices are definitely high at dinner. I haven't tried the lunch but those prices are much more reasonable. There's a Sunday brunch which I'd like to try some time. The haupia creme brulee is TERRIBLE (cold, hard with hard bits of coconut and barely a haupia flavor). Seafood is good quality. If you like quantity along with quality of your food, be sure to ask the server about the portions. Our table had two dishes with tiny portions and three dishes with larger portions. You don't want to feel that you've been served something smaller than what you expect. Staff is good, but one minor point is one server didn't know what "gluten free" meant or what dishes were (or weren't). That can be remedied with training and should be if the young staff want to become restaurant/cuisine professionals. Free valet parking, but don't forget to tip the valets.

Loves G.

I am giving ths restaurant 2 stars this time. This was my 4th visit to the restaurant in 3 months. All 3 prior visits were excellent and I feel bad for dogging them on this 4th visit, but this time the service was so bad, I feel compelled to write a review. We had 12noon reservations on a Sunday. We entered the restaurant and it was fairly packed. 3 large parties. I get it. I am in the business so we were patient and waited for a server to approach our table. We waited 15 min until this very krass woman approached our table and asked if we wanted still, sparkling or regular water. We said, regular iced water. She never came back with the water and we waited another 15 min until Roz approached our table. Nice, but incompetent. She took our orders for a cocktail and took our order for lunch as well. The amuse plate that is included with the meal came out very quickly. Obviously the plates are made ahead of time and the server just picks it up and serves it. My father ordered the watercress soup in addition to his meal. This came out too early and they put the soup on the side credenza. Hello... we can clearly see from our table that you have the soup sitting there. They did not bother to take it back to the kitchen and it sat there for a good 15 min, while my father finished his amuse plate and sat there with his empty plate. Finally Roz came back to the table and served my father his soup. It was cold, but my father did not want to complain about it, so he drank the soup. My father then sat with empty soup plate in front of him for over 20 min. Roz, the krass woman and their Manager walked pass our table at least 6 times and no one touched my father's empty soup plate. Ridiculous. Their Manager was clueless. He just walked around the room and did nothing. Very sad. Entrees finally came out. Instead of bringing the food directly to our table, the food runner takes the food again, to another side credenza 2 tables away from our table and the food sits there until she walks back into the kitchen and retrieves the 2nd 2 entrees. Why would you not get the help to bring out all 4 entrees at once or why would you not serve the first 2 entrees at the TABLE, then go back and serve the next 2 entrees at the TABLE??? Very confusing service, as your food sits at a side credenza and gets cold while the food runner gets your food. Sorry 53 By the Sea, but this is a Chef's nightmare when the Front of House does not know how to service guests properly. We waited again after we were done with our entrees for someone to clear our plates - a good 15 minutes after we were all done, did Roz come back to the table to clear our dirty plates. Service was horrific on this day. I am giving today 2 stars - it should be no stars for the service, but I have to say, service was much better on our last 3 visits. Train your team and get rid of the clueless Japanese National Manager. He does nothing for your restaurant except walk around.

Renee M.

It's more of a special occasion type of restaurant, (it's a little pricey) but so wonderful and well worth it. I highly recommend the lobster roll, jumbo shrimp cocktail, and caesar salad for appetizers. My husband is not a sea food fan at all, but loved the lobster roll. For main courses, try the mushroom chicken or filet mignon. Both were delicious! It's also gorgeous inside, you'll have a front row seat to Diamond Head, and very impressive. Their servers were fantastic, professional, and on top of everything. We went for our wedding anniversary and they made it very special and romantic.

Rodney H.

This an update to my previous review. Well, I took a dozen diners there the week of July 4. Of the 12, four were from the mainland. I have to say, the service was much better. Iris (?) was the main wait staff person. She knew how to open wine and was very attentive. OK, so here's the box score: Presentation - no change in score. Service - 8.5, much better. Food - if you are entertaining out-of-town guests and you have deep pockets, the seafood tower is a great starter. My guests loved the lobster and crab. Aside from that, the food is still adequate. Three issues for management to consider: #1 - the menu on the website was outdated - the seafood pasta dish on the website was no longer on the printed menu. There were one or two more items that were on the website menu, not on the printed menu. I can't remember what they were - sorry, my memory is going. #2 - ordered the LAST two bottles of Bello Glos Las Alturas pinot. I am a cab guy and do not like pinots, but this one is really, really good. It is a cab lover's pinot. They only had two bottles. How could they run out of the wine? This wine retails for $44, so the wholesale cost to the restaurant is significantly less. They should have had an ample inventory of this. I can see holding limited inventory of a $400 (retail) bottle of wine, but a $44 bottle? #3 - It seems the restaurant is trying to find itself - not sure whether it is an Italian, seafood or Italian seafood restaurant. Just my personal observation. They have a wonderful building and view - I wish them luck! Just remember - a successful restaurant needs to rely on repeat customers (i.e. the locals), not tourists, to survive.

Stewart S.

I am a fan!! 53 by the Sea has fabulous food and a grate wine list. They have great service and you never are in need of anything. White glove service! Well worth the $$$ prices you pay. Rarely do I feel we get out monies worth at restaurants in Honolulu but at 53 By the Sea, you definitely do.

Nicole I.

53 By The Sea is located in an exquisite, elegant mansion situated at the edge of Kaka'ako, boasting a majestic view of both the Ala Moana and Waikiki coast, delicately framing Diamond Head. This is about the only thing that I found exceptional about the place (aside from complimentary valet). I really wanted to love this place, but unfortunately could only deign to be ambivalent about it. The food was nothing to write home about, and the service was okay. I ordered the Homemade Tagliatelle Shrimp Scampi with Pesto Sauce. It was enjoyable, but truthfully, I have been more excited by dishes from the Olive Garden. I will go out on a limb to offer them redemption in the fact that their lunch service includes a complimentary appetizer platter and dessert. You can never go wrong with that. When asked about my experience, I'm at a loss for words. I'm not quite sure I liked it, but not convinced I hated it either. If not for the great company I had this afternoon, I would probably go with the latter. I would imagine it's beautiful at night, so I may return to give it another chance for a dinner service. Maybe then, I will be able to write the stellar review I had initially hoped to offer.

Kristian L.

I've seen a few of my friends who ate here and decided it would be the perfect place to take my husband for his birthday dinner and I made it a surprise! From beginning to end, it was PERFECT! Complimentary valet parking. It beautiful pictures at the fountain in front of the restaurant. It felt like we were entering a castle. The front desk person was so nice as well as the person who escorted us to our beautiful ocean view as requested for my birthday boy! Our server was also nice and kept coming back to refill our waters. We ordered the crab cakes as our appetizers. It was delicious! For our main entree my husband had their 12oz ribeye steak and I had the filet mignon and lobster tail. We were too full for desert, but everything on the menu looked so good. However, they did surprise my husband with a complimentary cake desert. I totally recommend this place! They have amazing customer service and great food! We definitely return again.

Paul B.

Third time. Doing great job with everything. Looking forward to return. We are planning a company function. The service and food was so good have to return with all my staff to enjoy. On certain nights you get a spectacluar few of fireworks over the ocean and the view is awesome!!!!

David S.

Sophisticated Elegance With A View I have dined here a few times and always left satisfied. The food is well prepared and served with professionalism that is rarely experienced. The building is stunning and the dining room sublime. There are some older, established restaurants in Honolulu but none are better than this. A must visit when in the Islands. Bon appetite.

Mikki J.

Service, server and view were great. Food was overpriced blech. Surf and surf was what I ordered...if you like butter and garlic...its fine. Shrimp were overcooked and the crab was the division of a single leg. The potatoes could have been out of a box. Disappointed.

Will L.

Usually these uppity places with great ocean views have an inverse relationship with the quality of food (similarly the same opposite principle for hole-in-the-walls), but not here. I took my wife last night to spend our 14th anniversary dinner there, and the staff at 53 really made it as perfect as it could be. We first drove up to the complimentary valet parking area, entered through the ginormous double doors, and checked in. The place is elegant: 53 has its signature staircase (I was waiting for Cinderella to walk down) and high ceilings providing for a very regal atmosphere to begin. This is definitely not a place you wear your "Locals" slippas (I think Longs has a sale two pairs for $5 by the way -- that was a freebie, you're welcome). When making my reservations two weeks ago, I noted that it was our anniversary, so they sat us at a table with a love seat that faced the Kakaako harbor and Waikiki. It was just an amazing setting with the near full moon in over some of the Kakaako landscape as well as a clear view of Diamond Head. The menu is concise and simple, which I don't mind so long as the limited choices are good. There is a prix fixe wine pairing menu but we declined that option. They bring out a house bread sampling of three breads (very warm Hawaiian sweet bread, walnut and sourdough -- all very fresh). We started with the mushroom risotto and it was fantastic; perhaps the best item of the night. The risotto came out piping hot, soft, with a nice mushroom sauce that made it decently flavorful and creamy. There were also plenty of sauteed mushrooms added in. I love a good risotto and again, this to me was the highlight of the meal. My wife ordered the fresh catch, which was the mong chong, and I ordered the Chilean sea bass. The filet of mong chong had good constitution, a tinge of flavor, and plated nicely with grilled string beans and grape tomatoes. My Chilean sea bass was fresh, completely soft and nicely complimented with bok choy and a salsa dressing, with a light shoyu sauce base. We added some more sauteed mushrooms as a side order because, we really like mushrooms. The house cabernet sauvignon complemented the dinner nicely. The service from the very moment we stepped in was diligent, respectful and appropriate (i.e. not suffocating). We could hear the live piano music from their lounge, yet overall it was a quiet and peaceful atmosphere, and with the backdrop of a nearly full moon, it was really quite exquisite. The dining room was nearly packed but 53 somehow maintains a quiet, dark backdrop which does not make the place feel busy or bustling (definitely not what we were looking for tonight). Finally, they provided us with a complimentary anniversary cake and ice cream, which went well with the latte I ordered. It capped off a near-perfect dining experience. What struck me was that I was completely full by the end of the meal, which I cannot say often for places like these. I was a little hesitant at taking my wife here, because I expected the hype of the strategic location and the built-in cost of doing business at such a luxurious property to make for some uninspiring food and service. However, my pre-conceived notions were completely altered, and I found that considering the many factors required to make for a pleasant anniversary dinner on a weekday, 53 exceeded my expectations. I would highly recommend it for a quiet, special evening.

John G.

Not sure if we were there on an off nite. Ambiance and location is amazing. That being said the food quality was average at best. The service was slow, not coordinated, and lacked many basic things.....like black pepper on a salad to start! Overall not sure this is anything but a wonderful location with a great remodel.

Paul A.

Me and my partner took my sister here for her birthday and it was a really lovely evening. The service was excellent, starting with the valet, to the hostess who offered to take our picture on their grand staircase, to the waiters - all friendly and helpful. The food was all delicious and they served the best mai tais we had in Hawaii. We ended up spending about $100 per person including drinks and desert, but it was well worth it. It's a lovely space with a nice view of Waikiki. Highly recommend.

Jonathan R.

Good but pricey... We ordered the escargot stuffed mushrooms, soup of the day (a sweet Maui onion soup), the mahimahi, and sea bass Hong Kong style. Ah... And for dessert we had the coconut creme brulé. The food was good and tasty all around. The highlight was the escargot which was in a very mild spicy tomato base sauce. Personally I enjoy escargot but of course many are turned off by snails, but I encourage everyone to try new things and this is one of the best ways to try em... Because they are not soaked in butter and cheese which almost negates the taste of the escargot. The least tasty was the onion soup which was salty and had no depth in flavor. The ambiance was alright. They have a nice view of Waikiki especially at night. Though the drive up to this location is less so. Make sure to lock your doors. The price for the for mentioned above along with two drinks was roughly $150. A bit pricey for the amount and quality of food. Though we didn't leave hungry. I would recommended locals to try this place at least once, especially for a birthday or anniversary, and decide if they wish to return. I personally enjoyed my visit here but will probably not go again.

Lillian H.

This is not just a restaurant, it's an experience. Nowadays it is not easy to find a really classy establishment, where the food and staff and ambience are all just top notch. This place has it all in spades. Just a beautiful building to begin with. Driving up its already impressive, but the grand entry way is just breath taking. I felt like a schlep walking in. We were greeted and seated promptly. Our little booth was cozy and had a lovely view of the water and Diamond Head. We began with cocktails. I had this delicious rose flavored strawberry concoction. I can't remember what it was called but it was delicious. My only regret is it comes in a only half full champagne flute.. It's a pricey little cocktail.. There really should have been more in the glass for the price. We enjoyed the bread and butter while waiting for the Surf and Surf. Which was absolutely delicious and so nicely presented. We ordered the haupia creme brulee and we were surprised with this lovely cake inscribed Happy Anniversary. Which was also delicious. This was a wonderful night out. And a wonderful meal.

Lyn L.

Having gone to John Dominis over the years, I was excited to see what 53 by the Sea had to offer....as other Yeeps noted when you drive up it is MASSIVE...like we arrived in Europe! We were seated and everyone was pleasant....the food was fresh, but we thought not imaginative!.....the cold seafood platter for two was excellent at $59...really fresh and nice pieces....the tomato bisque sells for $20....errrrr, I'm not paying $20 for a bowl of soup.... We settled on the seafood platter and the crab cakes (those were pretty good)...I then had the Chinese style Chilean Sea Bass and my husband had the Surf and Surf (grilled shrimp and king crab)...Like I said, food is nice and fresh, but nothing really exciting and terribly overpriced. They kindly gave us a complimentary strawberry shortcake with Happy Anniversary and we ordered the chocolate cake...they were good... All in all, too expensive for what we got....I think Alan Wong's is still a much better choice...or even Hy's Steakhouse...

Bryson L.

We dined here for my birthday which was on Memorial Day and I have got to say it was a wonderful evening! My date and I shared a romantic sunset dinner looking out toward Ala Moana Beach Park and Diamond Head as it's backdrop. The Lantern Ceremony was happening at the same time so the views and ambiance of the location was awesome! We shared the Seafood Showcase which featured a "sampler" of King Crab, Oysters, Sashimi, and Maine Lobster. The presentation was spectacular! With my date downing Oysters and the pianist playing "All of Me" by John Legend this night was on it's way to EPIC-ness :p For our main course we shared the Miyazaki Wagyu Filet Mignon and the 53's Mushroom Chicken. This was to experience fine dishes and not to satisfy hunger. Why did I mention that? Because the Wagyu Filet Mignon is a 3oz cut! If you want to experience premium beef and don't mind a hefty price tag I will confidently recommend this dish. Cooked to perfection and buttery soft this is by far one of the best steaks I have ever eaten. However, if you are hungry, pick another menu item, like the 53's Mushroom Chicken. This was very delicious and I would definitely order this again. Cocktails, Dessert and a 20yr Tawny also complimented the evening making this the most memorable birthday I have ever had. The location, service, food, views and ambiance are all incredible! And make sure to take pictures on their grand staircase! :)

Clarissa M.

Father's Day Lunch here was great. Beautiful scenery and great wait staff. Attentive and efficient. Food was delicious. We tried the tiger shrimp salad, point panic crab sandwich, ribeye baguette sandwich, and the special pasta of the day (see pic). The amuse bouche was an added treat - tasty tiny mouth bite size apps. Another added treat was the dessert (see pics) and the ladies got home made sorbet which was so tasty! We had such an enjoyable experience the family wants to try the dinner menu.

K K.

We went to celebrate a birthday. The restaurant and view are breathtaking. Too bad the service and the food were not at the same standard. Phil was our waiter. Not pleasant, no smile, didn't come to check on us much ... He didn't even say happy birthday when he brought the birthday dessert. Not what you would expect at that class of restaurant. The busboys and the valet were nice and provided good service. The manager didn't stop by to check on how we were doing although he was standing nearby most times. The piano player was excellent. The food needs work. The crab cakes were good. The ribeye steak was tough. The filet mignon dry. It looked as if it was sitting for a while. The pasta seasoning didn't taste right. The shrimp with the surf and surf was over cooked. The mushroom risotto was tasteless. Unacceptable for the prices. The breads, mango butter, and strawberry shortcake were dreamy. The pastry chef is stellar.

Larissa I.

Last night was my second time going to this beautiful restaurant. Smitten by my dinner choices from the previous visit, I ordered the same dish; the filet mignon with king crab legs & mashed potatoes. However, I was very disappointed with the drastic downgrade in taste of everything on my plate. The steak was a bit tougher, the sauce was too sour and overpowering, the crab legs tasted fishy and the sauce they were covered in was too liquidy and bland, very different from the rich butteryness I once had. But on the bright side, their chicken caesar salad and lemonade crab cakes tasted just as delicious as the first time! My date's dish, the shrimp scampi, was good too but very rich in flavor. With that being said, my feelings are left pretty neutral towards this place. The next visit will determine if 53 is still one of my new favorites or not. We'll see (;

Ryoko T.

First impression was WOW! Such a nice view!!! Could see the diamond head from the table which was so amazing. Service was very very impressive! We were treated very well and all of our foods were very tasty. This restaurant made my family very happy and making great memory for the last day in Hawaii! I will definably recommend 53 By The Sea for any special occasions!! Also....their short cake was seriously great!!!!!!! If you love cakes, you should try it!!!

Erik H.

I don't think the prices are worth the food or service. I wasn't blown away by the crustacean sandwich. It seemed a bit small and not filled that much with the seafood spread. I guess if you're into "fine dining" and overspending on food, this is the place for you. Otherwise, there's a lot of other places you could go to and get way better food. Going back to the service, it was good, but I wasn't blown away by it.

bimi a.

Excellent food and service, and a spectacular view to boot. Have only been there for lunch, and menu is not large, but the variety is there. Portions, at least for me, are very ample. It may be pricey, but appetizers and dessert are included so I don't mind it all. Parking is a breeze. Will definitely be back.

Dons A.

At first, taken by the location, location, location as the former John Dominis offered excellent food, ambiance, service and local aloha spirit. 53 by the sea falls short on hospitality. The Japanese are polite, value quality and have cleanliness locked down. They lack aloha spirit. Thus, the food was fresh, hot, delicious and quality ingredients resemble their sister restaurant Taormina. We enjoyed the freshly made pasta, salads, lobster bisque, lobster, risotto (fell short), rib eye, escargot and desserts. Honestly, Donato's risotto is my standard so this one fell short due to lack of creamy texture and silkiness. Definitely have the housemade pasta. The lobster is a must have. The atmosphere is pretty and who doesn't enjoy the Diamond Head view with the Pacific Ocean?!? After dark, the city lights are beautiful as well. Clean restrooms, dining area and no complaints on the servers as they appear clean as well. The one thing missing was that when we dine out, we do enjoy warm, pleasant service. Taormina offers this. John Dominis treated us well. This place is like dining in Europe. They are seen and not "heard". I suppose most customers appreciate this. We are not fans of this. Locals know what I mean...yes, you can dress us up, have us pay for quality and enjoy a 4 hour meal. We long for a smile and a "mahalo". 5 stars for location, food, experience, service, ambiance and restrooms. 3 stars for warmth, aloha spirit

Jimin T.

went for lunch. had pasta... VIew is nice that's it.

Rebecca Sarang H.

5 people went there and we spent $475, but compare with price, food was awful. Oyster was not fresh, we couldn't eat. And special pasta was $50, but it was very dry and no taste. I don't recommend people to spend couple of hundred dollars. I don't want to go there again.

Kris F.

Went here to celebrate Valentine's Day, set course and high prices. I saw our waiter twice throughout the night, when he took my drink order and dropped off the check. Not once was I asked if I wanted another cocktail and my water glass sat empty for over 10 minutes. For some reason at my table our 6 course meal came out so slow, in fact so slow that the table that sat down AFTER us finished their ENTIRE 6 course meal, paid, and left before us! While we were still waiting for the rest of our expensive food to be brought out. I asked to speak to the manager to express my frustrations, and for some reason I was given the Japanese speaking manager who had no idea what I was saying. He repeatedly said sorry and he just left. There were many empty tables around us so it was not a full house. For the price we paid I was not happy with the service at all.

Slater R.

Pat M.

Tom M.

Love K.

Tricia D.

Kimmy C.

Robin A.

Jerry S.

Kathy K.

Brian K.

Jenn W.

Trish P.

Mother's Day Lunch! i made this reservation a couple months in advance, just to be sure i'd get a spot for this day.... my mom has been dying to go here. lunch comes with an amuse bouche of crab salad on cracker, pesto scallop, arugula salad, salami and a deviled egg: ( yelp.com/biz_photos/53-b… ). mom got their crustacean club - $35 (with lobster, crab, bacon, avocado, tomato, lettuce, remolade): yelp.com/biz_photos/53-b… Dad got their Ribeye baguette sandwich - $33 (ribeye, roasted tomato, chive mornay spread, balsamic onions on toasted baguette): yelp.com/biz_photos/53-b… I got their Point Panic crab sandwich - $29: (crab, bacon, avocado, red onion, remolade on toasted focaccia with seasoned fries) yelp.com/biz_photos/53-b… everything was pretty tasty..... but also, a little awkward to eat. mom's sandwich was too big for her mouth so she had to smash it a bit... mine was a open faced sandwich so i wasn't sure (b/c this is supposed to be fine dining) if i should use a fork and knife, or if i should just pick up the thing like a pizza.... same situation with dad's food, but he opted to use his hands. the crab sandwich i had was very good, despite my eating inadequacies - it has lots of real crab, delicious avocado, BACON.... and the seasoned fries were pretty good too. dessert also comes with lunch. they had a raspberry sorbet the other day that was refreshing, and not too sweet: yelp.com/biz_photos/53-b… they also gave my mom a rose for mother's day! she was impressed! Definitely a top choice to take Mom for Mom's day!

Yuko A.

I really wish the food lived up to the beauty of this magnificent restaurant. Without a doubt, it has one of the most stunning views in town. The prices of all the dishes were high, understandable seeing as the rent for the restaurant must be ridiculous. We started off with the cold seafood appetizer which is meant to be shared between 2 people. yelp.com/user_local_phot… Literally, there was 2 slices of everything. I understand that raw seafood is not cheap but I felt a little gipped. We ordered the mushroom stuffed escargot. yelp.com/user_local_phot… I really didn't find them anything special. You didn't get to savor the escargot as the mushroom and sauce overpowered it. I prefer simple garlic and butter escargot any day. My sister and I decided to just share appetizers so we also ordered a simple caprese salad. Fresh but again, nothing special. Thank god they served bread - I probably ate a loaf as a filler. Whoops. The only thing I found odd was that they served sweet bread....but no butter. Of course you could eat it by itself but a little butter rather than olive oil would be perfect. Our friend ordered the seafood pasta - good thing shes a kind sharer, because we definitely were not full from our appetizers. We ordered a few drinks - $12/cocktail. If you like wine, they have a massive wine list. Would I come back? If it was for happy hour, maybe but I don't think I could justify paying so much for an only okay meal. They have changed chefs so hopefully the food improves. Service was top notch, just as it should be at a fine dining restaurant so hurrah for that.

Harry Y.

Took the wife and daughter to lunch to celebrate a special occasion. The view is spectacular and the food is quite good.

Ashley S.

We went here to celebrate a close friends' departure from the island and from the second 53 by the Sea was suggested the whole group was very excited. As locals, there are only a few true fine dining experiences on the island, and 53 by the Sea had a reputation... They proved tonight that a great location, incredible decor, and extraordinary wine list does not warrant a reputation of excellence. From the second we walked in the door our party and I were profiled as second class citizens. Despite the fact that each person in our large party ordered AT LEAST an appetizer, an entree, and THREE drinks the treatment of my party never improved. Our table had two servers, and at no point during the experience were these two on point. We heard the specials from each of them, independent of each other, and they asked each person twice which drinks they would like. During the meal, the appetizers were great, credit is due there, and that is why 53 is receiving two stars in this review; special nods to the clam chowder, foie gras, and lobster bisque. After the appetizer course, an uncomfortable dining experience really started to fall apart even more. Twenty five minutes after our emptied appetizer plates left the table, half of the entrees arrived at the table, it took at least 4-5 more minutes for the remaining plates to arrive. Of the 9 entrees that were ordered FIVE were stone cold. Not just lukewarm, but cold. We sent four of the five dishes back, as one of the members of our party was hungry and didn't want to wait longer. A few short minutes later the serving staff returned with the plates holding them with napkins as if they were hot, spoiler: they were not. In fact my plate actually LOST food as it was reheated. My handful of king trumpet mushrooms turned into 2 slices and my asparagus were raw still after being just charred on the grill, salt nowhere to be found on the plate. Oh and the scallops were burnt. The others were just as bad. Tiger shrimp so over cooked you could hear the rubber like squeaking between your teeth. The manager or maitre d' came over to check and we were just so hungry and disappointed no one said anything except one. At this point this man tried to tell us that the dishes had been prepared fresh after we had returned them and he didn't know why they were still cold. Long story short they remade one dish fresh to go and charged everyone else for everything they'd ordered despite being told that we were being brought "some appetizers" while we waited for our reheated food to come back to us. $1000+ later the group has unanimously decided that the hype was undeserved and next time we'd much rather spend $1000 at Pig and the Lady where we're sure to have an excellent meal.

Brandy W.

holy smokes! I must have made the best new friends to invite me to this swanky mansion! Wait it's a restaurant, no way. they even have a three car garage! wait, it is? ok awesome I'm coming here all the time! They will take your car away as a complimentary service as you enter through the solid wood 15 foot double doors. You will notice that expansive staircase shown as the storefront picture. To your right is the hostess podium. You pretty much have to get a reservation. There is no way around it if you want a real table. We had to change our reservation last minute and was forced into the bar. This would be fine except the pianist and lounge singer is very loud. You won't be able to carry a conversation. We started with a prosciutto and cheese plate. It came with prosciutto, roast beef, salami, pecorino cheese and olives. It was very filling for 4 women and a very pregnant 5th. They also brought out a variety bread basket with our own individual oil and vinegar dipping saucers. I highly recommend the walnut bread and ciabatta with the oil and vinegar. The hawaiian sweet bread if better on its own. I ordered the opakapaka. It was served with a taro puree. It was a perfect size for me, but may not have been enough for a larger man. I would suggest ordering a side, a soup/salad, or a larger dish if you are hungry. For cocktails, I ordered the rossini. I thoroughly enjoyed the refreshing champagne mix, but my companions did not enjoy the bellini. Apparently it is their version and the bitters counteracts the taste. I also tried my friend's filet mignon. The rub was fantastic and although it was well done, it was still quite tender. We shared the mashed potatoes. Honestly, I was not impressed. I could not tell whether it was homemade or not. For dessert, we had the chocolate cake and tiramisu. The cake was a bit too rich for me, but so was the tiramisu. Even with a date I think the dessert cannot be finished when shared. When you arrive on a Friday, they turn off all the lights to watch the fireworks. It honestly is the best view of Waikiki and diamond head. The bathrooms are meant to be visited. Each stall has a toto smart toilet with a panel I was too shy to even play around with. Do not be deterred by the homeless you must pass to get there. They need the business to stay open!

Kristen K.

The absolute best place to eat on Oahu ever! Love the place and atmosphere! Very romantic and service was just as amazing as the food we ate! Made the birthday dinner one to remember and we will definitely be back soon!

Sharon N.

I have mixed feelings about this place. It's terrible of me, but I am comparing to John Dominis as this place took over the property. I really shouldn't do that, but I can't help it. I loved John Dominis, and my parents, husband, and I would frequent this place. Like "What do you feel like tonight?...I dunno. Maybe John Dominis?...Okay, let's go." kinda thing. Driving up into the this driveway definitely has much more appeal than JD. It's like driving into the driveway of some gigantic, elaborate mansion on Hawaii Loa Ridge or something. The building is spectacular. Front doors, foundations, etc. Then, you open the huge iron double doors and...BAM! Staircase. Gorgeous! You walk to the side to get seated, and THE VIEW! Always loved JD's view of Diamond Head and the surfers on the nearby beaches. The servers are very attentive. I couldn't help but feel like I was dining in some rich person's house, though. Friendly staff. We ordered a bunch of different things. My husband ordered the bisque. Oh my! Was that tasty or what? Savory, rich taste! I had ordered a salad. Nothing special in taste. It was all presentation for sure. The plating at this place is pretty class. That's for sure. My mom ordered the scallops. Cooked to perfection. My dad ordered the sirloin, if recall correctly. My husband ordered this sea bass! That a good dish. I ordered my usual filet mignon and lobster. The steaks we ordered we nicely seasoned and cooked just right. When you order lobster, don't be shocked when they give you a small sauce plate with lobster meat. I guess they de-shell it for you. We were wondering what that was when they served it to us. It was a bit...different. The food was good, but for the price you pay I would expect it to be phenomenal. Maybe it was just we ordered. The food is definitely plated well. We had gone right before sunset. So we could still get some daylight and admire the view. I'd give this place another shot. Maybe for lunch next time. I definitely would consider throwing a lunch or dinner party in one of the rooms upstairs. My parents were impressed when I told them they had such a service available. 3 1/2 stars but gonna round down, because it's misleading for me to say 4 stars. I'll still go back and try it out, again. Very nice place.

Shelly N.

Great experience! Came here for my birthday on a week night. It wasn't very crowded, which was nice. Live piano music was soothing, and so good, I thought it was a recording at first!! Had an excellent table with a great view, only the weather was voggy. Would've been much better if the sky was clear, but no one has control over that! Valet was super nice and offered to take the picture in front if the grand stair case :)

Annie K.

Dear 53 By The Sea, It was an amazing dinner. My friend brought me here to celebrate my birthday. Although it had already past, it was still a special night. As I walked out of the car, I felt like a princess. The host opened the door and greeted us with a smile and a welcome. We had late dinner reservations so we had some drinks at the lounge. The lounge music was great and set the mood. I ordered this drink off the menu, something bellini (for the life of me, I can't remember the name), but it was the most girlie drink that I've had in a very long time. It was pink, it was bubbly, and it came in a tall slender glass. Amazing. As we were seated at our table, we had an ultimate surprise. Fireworks. The lights dimmed and it was a perfect view of the fireworks. Who wouldn't feel special with fireworks as a birthday gift. :) It wasn't the normal Friday Hilton fireworks so yes, it seemed amazing to me. I hardly ever order lamb chop but that night, the lamb chops were calling me from the menu. I'm so glad I did. It was the most delicious piece of lamb - so tender, so juicy, so wonderful. My friend had a seafood pasta dish. Next to him, I was little Miss Piggy. My plate was spotless. I had a couple of glasses of chardonnay to complement my meal, too. And yes, I had dessert. I ordered creme brulee. I was a bit surprised of the creme brulee. It didn't seem too done, just wasn't set. Yet, I still ate it all. I think I was SOOOOO stuffed that I was delirious. The night was unforgettable. With all the smiling servers and polite etiquette, my night a memorable birthday dinner. Thank you so much for a fabulous, fun, and filling experience. A Princess Experience

C P.

Lunch was amazing! Loved my Jidori chicken Caesar salad and the amuse bouche was a lovely surprise. The view is the same that I knew and loved from the old John Dominis years ago, but the interior is so much nicer now. I can't remember what my lunch buddies had, but we were all delighted with our meals. I was so pleased that I'm planning to celebrate my 20th wedding anniversary there!

Janda D.

Two Stars for the scenery Food was over priced, and not very good. Went here for our anniversary. The service is good, but I won't be returning.

Inj K.

We choose to celebrate our biggest days of the year for the beautiful view of mountains and ocean, the exceptional service provided, the delicious food , and the 7:45p fireworks across the way on Fridays. Our latest reservation, for what I thought was for a party for 2, was to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday where he then proposed to me in front of our family and friends, by secretly scheming with Manager Cheryl two months prior. The party that was meant for 2 turned into a party of 40 adults and 10 children! Along with Cheryl, we would like to thank Yuki and Daniel for being great bartenders, Devin for his excellent service, and Christian for taking care of our cars at the valet. We are now looking forward to having our wedding at 53, where it all started.

Chelsea N.

Upscale. Fine Dining. When I went, the restaurant was completely empty which was amazing. It was probably because we arrived a little early for dinner. If you ask anyone about this restaurant, then one of the first things they'll mention is the view. The location is spot-on. With the full length windows, you can see Diamond Head and the shoreline of Waikiki. Diners are greeted and attended to with the most attentive, professional, and charismatic servers. I would not recommend this place for children under ten, especially if they are usually rowdy. Even when more people started to be seated, the restaurant was still decently quiet. Eating at 53 By The Sea is a pleasure for almost all the senses. Along with the spectacular view, the plating is sensational. If you are looking for a restaurant that will complete the ideal intimate date, then I'd definitely suggest 53 By The Sea. Other than that, arrive prepared with a heavy wallet.

Scott K.

The filet mignon is outstanding and you can't beat the ocean view. A perfect place to impress your date or to make your wife happy. :-)

Michelle J. C.

Absolutely...amazing. We ordered a mojito, red wine, maine lobster and filet mignon, the fresh catch, fresh oysters, foie gras, and the sorbet dessert. One comment is that I thought the lighting was too dark. It made me sleepy... The host was really nice and took our pic on the stairs. I LOL-ed when she said, "Don't worry, I do this all the time. I know all the right angles." She should be promoted to house photographer haha

Terry K.

Great Expectations Been here for cocktails and great sunset views a few times. Finally, a dining experience, without reservations at that. I think the novelty of a new restaurant has worn its luster out as there were no lines breaking down the doors...no jammed packed parking lots and bustling valets... Lots of empty tables though. Maybe, it was an off night. Maybe, there were many other activities going on in the city....maybe...maybe.... The food was less than desirable sorry today. I am a medium rare meat and fish eater. It bothered me that a restaurant of their level of prestige and price tag delivered a MEDIUM more like MediumWell meat! YUK! Mentioned this to the server who reluctantly offered to get it redone, explaining it will take time and my dining partner may be done with his meal by the time my meal came out..... What more can I say? 3rd star given for decor and as Lori I said you 'you must see their restrooms!!! And holding the 3rd star I place , naturally, the panoramic view of the city!! Both no fail reasons to,like this place, For cocktail hour? Pricey, but if you want view and ambience- this is your place to impress!

Lei C.

Food was ok but not that great. View is stunning, valet parking was free, restroom is awesome at the women's side. It took 3 hours for us to finish the course, long wait for the food. Service was ok but not top notch! I wasn't impress much on the food but maybe bec I've ate from a lot of variety of fine dining restaurants and I'm very particular with the food bec I rate quality vs quantity and the price was ok as well for us. It could be expensive for others.

Brett I.

this is one of those examples where "expensive" does not always meaning "good" or "better." To be sure, I did not come here for a full-on dinner, but I came here with friends for appetizers, dessert, and for general fanciness. But even so, I wasn't particularly thrilled by the food. Honolulu, for its size and being on an island, has a really good food scene, including higher-end dining. And you could do much better at other places of similar ambitions and price points. Green tea mousse dessert was pretty whatever. What showed their amateurishness was that they had some sort of mango and strawberry sauce (a gelée, if you will) around the plate. Even though it was arranged prettily, that's all it was--prettily arranged sauces. Maybe it was there purely for decoration, but it should've served some functional purpose as well, because green tea doesn't match taste-wise with strawberry and mango; perhaps a taro or coconut-based gelée would have been better. Or perhaps no sauce at all and choose a more creative way of decorating the plate. Coconut creme brûlée was recommended by the waitress. Taste-wise, this was fine. I like coconut, I like creme brûlée, it was fine. For what you pay and the whole level of fanciness they wish to create, "fine" just seems underwhelming, though... Seafood appetizer. Oysters, hamachi sashimi, crab legs, maine lobster. Served on a platter with dry ice underneath to make it look all smoky and fancy, I guess. Maybe I'm not an oyster connoisseur, but to me the oysters that night tasted a tad fishy. Ugh, I hate sounding all snobbish and what not (hence i hardly write bad or lukewarm reviews), but it's just frustrating knowing that you can probably get similar or better-tasting and/or more creatively presented food at less fancy restaurants. By the way, I know this isn't 53's fault, but it's really sobering to drive by so many homeless tents on the way to the restaurant. I had never been to 53 before (nor had I even been to the wharf area of town) and so I had no idea how the area looked. But it's so strange how opulent the outside of the restaurant looks, especially in contrast to the sad sight of rows of tents lining the roads leading up to 53. It was just difficult to shake that image even after arriving at the restaurant. Maybe that affected my dining experience. Or maybe not. I don't know. Still, it's really sad... That said, in addition to the whatever food, the drive to the restaurant may be reason enough not to take friends or family who are visiting from the mainland, especially if they're visiting Hawaii for the first time.

Maria G.

French inspired, local based cuisine. Great for a special night out. Ãœber romantic with mood lighting and a piano man Thurs-Sun. The food is superb, service top notch. It's pricey, hence why it's nice for special occasions. The bar itself is a well kept secret. My hubby and I like to go here on random nights, sip a nicely made cocktail at the bar and share an app.

Steve S.

Went to a penfolds wine dinner featuring Dlynn Proctor a brand ambassador on June 8th. Service impeccable, food just nirvana. The wines alone pay for the 125 price tag.

Joy N.

Ok, just tried out this place for lunch and it definitely gets another star for their lunch service! The view is absolutely breathtaking during the day! Their lunch menu is much smaller than dinner, but they have great variety! I ordered the homemade meat sauce pasta and really enjoyed it! Another plus side of their lunch service is that they give you an appetizer to start with. Mine was a platter of small bites, which consisted of: shrimp cocktail, turkey spread on cracker, salami/cheese and caprese. At the end of the meal, they also serve you dessert (wish you could select from options tho!). I brought my friend, who's a vegetarian, to the lunch and I wanted to point out how the staff really helped make this a great experience for both of us.. I had given them a heads up when I made the reservation since there was no vegetarian options on the menu, but they assured me that they would be able to accommodate us. It's still a pricey lunch, but I feel it's so much more worth it than dinner. Will definitely keep this place in mind for nice business lunches or to celebrate a special occasion!

Watah H.

had the 7 course prix fix menu for $150. Ordered a bottle of Dom...The view is why this place even works. The fois gras and the scallop was good everything else was crap. Like i said, the view from the ceiling height windows is what makes this place....Was it worth $500 and change? No way.

Jake T.

This is high end fine dining. Not for folks who don't appreciate and are willing to pay for it. The service was amazing. Mahlia was looking after us and she did a wonderful job. Nothing was to much and she explained everything well. We tried the seafood extravaganza for entree and the crab was amazing along with sashimi and oysters. The weakest thing on the dish was the Maine lobster. We also had the foire gras, sauteed mushrooms and the scaloops. All were cooked to perfection. As it was our anniversary, we were presented with a beautiful dessert of strawberry sponge slice with 'Happy Anniversary' piped in chocolate. It was a wonderful touch to end the evening. Definitely will be visiting 53 by the sea again, this time it maybe a day event the views look just as spectacular!

Liz S.

The view and ambiance is unbelievable! My mother loved it when we (My husband, myself, my mom, and my son) came here for her birthday. The food was good, but I thought it was kind of expensive for 3 adults and a 8 year old (total around $300) and neither my mom nor I drink alcohol (just my husband). I was a little bummed that they forgot to give my mother a small complimentary dessert for her birthday cause that would have made her feel special. It was worth it to make my mom happy since she loved the view of the ocean, but I probably wouldn't return. 3660 is a better deal (esp if you buy the gift card at Costco!) and the food is better at 3660. Here, you are really paying for the beautiful view so if that's important to you then it's worth it.

Arianne C.

Unbelievable food. The drinks were amazing, appetizer seafood tower was incredible. I had the sea bass and it was the best I've ever had. It had an amazing flavor. The others in my party had the mahi, lobster and steak and we all left very happy.

Tony N.

Ate here for my girlfriend's birthday dinner, and I must say it was an awesome experience! They offer free valet parking and you are greeted into a mansion like restaurant. The staff here is very friendly and polite. Our server Devin, was very attentive and professional. He frequently checked up on us and refilled our waters quick. The view here is stunning considering from every table you have a beautiful view of diamond head. After we finished eating, the server brought us a birthday cake and someone on the piano played the happy birthday song. We also ordered the haupia creme brulee and it was fantastic. It was actually served in a coconut! Overall I recommend this place to anybody celebrating anniversaries/honeymoons or small birthday dinners. This place is the definition of fine dining. FIVE STARS!

Christel G.

I wanted to surprise my boyfriend with an extremely nice birthday dinner that would be elegant & most of all memorable. So I chose 53 By The Sea... I made reservations about 2 weeks in advance;which I was informed later that we needed to change the time & move it up an hour later (due to the bf's change of sched).... so when i called back (just 2 days prior to the res.) no problems at all. :]]] From beginning to end... it was AHHHMAZING!! We both individually ordered the prix fixe dinner which was a 7 course meal & absolutely incredible. The intervals between each course was presented with perfect timing, we didn't feel rushed at all when the server brought out our next entree. It was a nice pace. Our server was Devin... he was very friendly & attentive... he delightfully answered our few questions... also made a few wine suggestions. 10+ stars for Devin!! I would recommend requesting a window seat upon making reservations....we lucked out with the best seat in the house!! Gorgeous backdrops of Diamond head & the ocean... beeeeautiful panoramic views!! We extended our dinner with a couple of espresso...& shortly after, took a little step outside the back sliding door to explore the outdoor seating, just to take a few photos among the stars. :]]] It was magical. One of my boyfriends favorite parts about this place was the bathrooms, Lol something about a "Bidet on his B-day"... made it that much more....special?. hahaa Overall....we thoroughly enjoyed it. the experience here was like a fairy-tale... from the very moment you pull up to the valet to the very end....well we didn't want it to end,...so we will be back for sure!! :D Food, Service, Ambiance, Experience, Price, Parking..... ALL WORTH IT....5+ stars!!

Keri S.

There are many great dining spots in Honolulu, and many times it is so hard to choose. 53 by the Sea is new, so for our date night I surprised my husband with this for a dinner date. They are a newer restaurant so I wanted to give them a few months to settle in before trying. We drive up, and can you say gorgeous! It is a mansion with FREE valet parking. (Don't forget to be courteous and tip though.) The mansion itself awes you! My husband is 6'1 and the entry doors make even him look small! They open the gorgeous doors for you and you are promptly left speechless by their grand staircase! Oh my goodness, we fell in love with this elegant entry! The entire venue is to die for! Very clean, state of the art, and perfect for an impressive evening. The staff instantly greets you. They address you by name and ALWAYS make eye contact. We are seated with an AMAZING view of the ocean and city, simply PERFECT! They pull your chairs out and help you right in comfortably. Our waitress was Iris, and she was a doll! Her service didn't fall short for a second! She truly knew what it meant to cater to her guests. She was helpful with menu suggestions too. For an appetizer we ordered the escargot stuffed mushrooms. They come in a tomato based sauce, that has a hint of spice. We both liked them but it wasn't over the top delicious. They were $18 if I remember correctly. During this serving they also brought out TWO selections of bread with individual dipping bowls of olive and balsamic vinegar. This was very good, and the bread was made just right. The bread was also good to dip in the base sauce for the escargot stuffed mushrooms appetizer. As our meals we were both original as they were out of our first choice of the fish, Moi. Moi as many know is a very exquisite fish, eaten by the Alii of Hawaii in the ancient days, the fish of the elite. We do look forward to getting this on our next visit. So, my husband ordered the Filet Mignon and I the Rancher's Ribeye. We actually had to send my husbands back. All but about a small slice of cake portion was edible due to all the fat. We sent it back and literally it seemed like the entire staff came to apologize, and sincerely at that. They were VERY quick to correct! I have not seen this degree of customer service in a long time. As a matter of fact that is the main reason we will go back more and more! My plate was absolutely perfect! Oh my goodness, I could cut my perfectly prepared steak with a fork! It was so juicy and tender, I was in heaven. Each of our dishes was served with a small portion of mixed vegetables. It consists of a piece of broccoli, 2 carrot sticks, a pepper, and two green beans. If you want more sides they sell them ala carte. Due to the original poor steak on my husband's first plate, they gave free dessert. We had a sampler specially made by our waitress with each dessert type. There was tiramisu, fresh fruit, a pudding type with nuts, and there fruit bowl (LOOKED like salsa) topped with ice cream. The desserts, not very impressive. The tiramisu cake was drenched in a overbearing liqueur type. I think we would skip out on dessert, paid for or not on our next visit. OK, kind of weird, but their bathrooms are awesome! They are clean with state of the art gadgets. I love the woods stalls that are tall, not a crack as it's all privacy. The seats are automatic, they have rinsing, etc. It is that added touch to the already modern venue! Although we wouldn't consider the food "to die for," we would certainly go back. The service, location, and ambiance is amazing. The added romantic touch is the mellow live jazz musicians. This was certainly an exquisite experience that we look forward to doing again!

Janet K.

I'm not sure where to begin... Order the seafood appetizer for two. The seafood is fresh and it's large enough to share. Escargot stuffed mushrooms were good too. Entree - order the lobster linguine. I wish I did. I ordered the lamb chops and I was thoroughly disappointed. It came out overcooked! I ordered medium rare (the only way lamb should be eaten) and it came out medium well to well done. The end pieces were not pink at all! The flavor was okay but I didn't care for the mini roasted potatoes and ratatouille it came with. The Fresh catch that evening was a browned butter moi. Um hello??? Who are you kidding. That moi was not fresh, it was frozen! It didn't matter because it wasn't memorable anyway! Dessert - hot cream cheese honey pie and gelato was delicious! Tiramisu was okay but I didn't care for the lemon cake. Service was horrible!!!!! This is why I hate when they auto gratuity your party. It's like they have insurance on your table so they just cater to the party of twos and fours over you. Aye, if you gonna have your servers dress all fancy with their white gloves, you better make sure they're keeping my drinks filled at the very least! I just want to order more wine and finding someone to get that for me shouldn't be like pulling teeth! Oh, and they have the fancy fobby Asian guys walking around in their tight suits. Hey guy, are you a manager? I wouldn't know because you never came by the table and asked how we were doing. I know you saw me trying to make eye contact with you so I could get some service. I guess you don't speak English? Yeah yeah nice view, nice fancy ambiance, bidet in the bathroom blah blah! O V E R R A T E D ! ! !

Arthur G.

Awesome view, small expensive fancy portions with normal priced fancy drinks which is perfect for a romantic date with the wife. I recommend the sunset Paloma and the pineapple smash.

Richard H.

How could any restaurant replace a landmark like John Dominius, which was formerly the top restaurant in Hawaii (pre-Roy's, Alan Wong, and Sam Choy)? The new owner spared no expense in design, architecture, and the culinary expertise. They completely transformed the building into a two story building that provides a banquet reception area (for parties and weddings) as well as a dining experience that provides everyone in the restaurant with an ocean view. We made reservations several weeks in advance, and were treated to a side by side bench with a table, fronting the surf into the channel going into Keahi lagoon. Fortunately, we were seated just before sunset and watched the sky change from blue to orange/yellow. There is an walkway just outside your table, that allows patrons to walk outside and watch the sunset. Once the sunlight passes, it gets very dark and chilly outside the restaurant (bring a jacket or sweater). To start our meal, I ordered the Seafood showcase for $30. Great assortment of chilled seafood: Maine lobster, jumbo sized shrimp cocktail, scallops, oysters, and mussels. The platter comes with an Asian ponzu sauce and an American shrimp cocktail sauce. The seafood was incredibly fresh and I felt that this was under priced for the quality and quantity of these shellfish. For dinner, we both selected the By the Sea Spaghettini Fruti DI Mare for $26. More fresh, high quality seafood for a bed of thin pasta. Very tasty pasta sauce, not too salty for a seafood dish. I would describe the sauce and light and well balanced, tomato based sauce. They have an excellent wine list! Great assortment of Italian, French (very high end Burgundies and Bordeaux wines) and great lower end wines $32 for a bottle! Great quality and paired well with our seafood and entrees. I love their bar area! Great place to listen to live music and have a cocktail. This will be explored on my next visit.

Shigeru C.

This 5-star is strictly for my own lunch experience with this Crustacean Sandwich at this place! So, my 5-star is not guaranteed for any other food or dinner time. Haha! If you like crabs, shrimps, and lobster, this sandwich has it all, and oh does it have it all! If you are a crustacean lover you will NOT regret to go straight to this sandwich and nothing else (well, a glass of Chardonnay wouldn't be bad to go with it). Of course, the view is fantastic. But you know? If you are local, you've seen this before (John Dominis, maybe?). But this sandwich! I could easily be a repeater just for this. You wouldn't believe how much lobster, crab and shrimp meat they pile into this not-so-big sandwich!! Don't be fooled by its relatively not-huge size by American standard. This is yet so satisfying. I guarantee it. I beg you. Please try. And when you are satisfied and relaxed with a glass of wine, you can then hang loose and enjoy the Diamond Head view........ no worries.

Tiffinie K.

My bf's boss treated us to dinner here. They have a private parking and complimentary valet. That was good because we were running a little late. Come to find out, we were the last ones there. What...? Dinner reservations was at 5PM, and I had to get ready after work! Food and Drink - 3 stars. I had the pinot noir that was suggested, which was very smooth but quite a small portion. Another couple also invited to the dinner orders the tea, but she had to ask the server 3 times, with enough time in between I thought. We tried the seafood trio appetizer which came with cold scallop, lobser, 2 oysters, and raw fish. Thumbs up. I tried the opakapaka with sweet potato puree (see picture). It looked really good, but the taste was plain and the fish was somewhat hard. I think it was $30. Thumbs down. We tried the eggplant dessert which was surprisingly good. While the food was presented nicely, the taste did not meet expectation of a $$$ restaurant. Service - 2 stars. Since we were seated last, we didn't have champagne glasses, although the servers were pouring for everyone. After 2 refills, we had to ask for glasses. When I asked what the specials were (after he had told the front of the table), the lead server looked irritated, but told me the specials again. If 3-star food cost $30 for an entree, I Ambiance - 5 stars. The restaurant is clean, and I didn't notice if it was too noisy. They also have outside seating near the ocean. The bathroom was clean as well. The women's bathroom had toilets that had many types of cleaning and drying functions. The coolest part of the bathroom was when I opened the stall door, the seat lifted! I don't think I'd go there again just for the ambiance. Too expensive for the food taste. Also, several people who ate with us spent hours in the bathroom that night.

Marcia L.

This review is for happy hour, which I believe is every day. I wouldn't have discovered 53 by the Sea's Happy Hour if it weren't for the Happy Hour Pal app. Wow what a hidden gem! Try the calamari. It comes with a lemonade sauce and was absolutely divine. Presentation of all food was excellent and each dish was between $7-$12. Drinks are also classy and affordable. Also, spectacular view of diamond head. The whole building is beautiful and looks like a seaside mansion from the outside. Parking is valet in front.

Lori I.

Fantastic VIEWS, top notch SERVICE, excellent FOOD, and titillating TOILETS make this place my new favorite fine dining place in Honolulu! QUICK TIPS: Reservations 536-5353. Valet parking only. $25 corkage fee. Open daily 5pm-10pm. Lunch service will start on 9/26 11a-2pm. VIEW: It doesn't get much better than this. Really, it doesn't. The picture perfect postcard view of Diamond Head was the perfect backdrop for an amazing meal! yelp.com/biz_photos/LEmN… AMBIENCE: There is nothing reminiscent of the old dark and dingy blast from the past that 53 By the Sea has replaced. Instead, everything is light, airy, open and very European (or very Vegas-eque): yelp.com/biz_photos/LEmN… yelp.com/biz_photos/LEmN… The kitchen is hidden away from view, so the restaurant was relatively quiet and perfect for a nice intimate dinner at 5pm. (At that hour it's usually just old folks and us anyway). Once it filled up and the pianist started playing, it got a bit louder but still very very nice compared to some of the open-kitchen establishments around town where you have to yell across the table: "SAY HELLO TO MY LIL FRIEND!!!!" yelp.com/biz_photos/LEmN… SERVICE: We had REALLY exceptional service from Judy. All of the boys that refilled water, folded napkins, removed plates, and assisted with the food presentation also did an impeccable job. Judy even asked if anyone at the table had dietary restrictions and checked with the kitchen to make sure everything was within those restrictions to ensure a 5-star dining experience. WINE SELECTION: A nice selection and fair pricing. Corkage $25/bottle. FOOD: Absolutely DELICIOUS! I posted pictures of everything we ordered with prices. Appetizers were $8-12, Entrees were $22-40, desserts were $8-10. I got to eat everything I posted as well because I made everyone share their food with me (!) and everything was excellent...except the Romaine salad, which was just okay. They use sustainable fish, which usually means small quantities and big prices, but these were actually pretty decent sizes and fair pricing. FRESH CATCH of the Day was MOI ($28) and this was done right. Crispy skin and juicy meat on the bottom was seasoned perfectly!! Definitely better than any moi I've ever eaten before. This dish does not come with starch, but you MAY ASK FOR STEAMED RICE (extra) if you wish. yelp.com/biz_photos/LEmN… Grilled OPAKAPAKA w/Okinawan sweet potato puree ($30) was adorned with grilled okra, Maui onion, kahuku sea asparagus salad and was also another excellent choice! Chicken Breast Mushroom Marsala ($22) whoa. This was very good! Those little squares are the "baked mashed potatoes" and add a unique texture to the dark and rich marsala reduction sauce. yelp.com/biz_photos/LEmN… DESSERTS WERE GREAT TOO! They make their own gelato and I tried the guava sorbet and the vanilla bean gelato and it gets my two thumbs up! (and you know I eat my fair share of gelato!) yelp.com/biz_photos/LEmN… yelp.com/biz_photos/LEmN… The TITILLATING TOILETS. If you've managed to read this far, I'm going to tell you that these toilets are way better than the ones at Rokkaku and Suntory. There are two types of toilet seats, so make sure you try both the handicap stall and the regular stall for maximum enjoyment. The lids will open automatically when you approach the toilet, the seats are warmed just right, and there are pulsating, oscillating, front and rear shooters as well as butt dryers and automatic flushers. I am not kidding when I tell you we made multiple visits to the restroom to play with those buttons. They are in both the mens and womens restrooms and you gotta try it at least once. yelp.com/biz_photos/LEmN… I can't wait to eat here again! Awesome experience!

Lynvi S.

53 by the Sea is a new fine dining restaurant in Kakaako that specializes in Italian and Pacific Rim cuisine and features fresh, local ingredients. First of all, this place is breathtaking. It looks like a beautiful Mediterranean villa. Inside, there's an impressive grand staircase. I couldn't help but look around and "ooh" and "ah" at everything. There's also a chapel and a banquet hall upstairs. My boyfriend and I were seated in a cute little alcove with an amazing view of Waikiki, Diamond Head, and the ocean, of course. I would recommend dining early because this place transforms from a very bright and almost airy-feeling restaurant while the sun is still out to a dark, romantic, and elegant restaurant at night. Seafood Saffron Soup of the Day - Very nice! The soup is creamy and loaded with little bits of shrimp, scallops, and clams. It comes sprinkled with fresh dill that adds a really nice touch. Since we were sharing the soup, they brought us two small heated bowls. Fancy! Escargot-Stuffed Mushrooms - This was an obvious win for me because I love mushrooms and I love escargot. The sauce is rich, creamy, and has nice spicy kick to it, and it comes topped with some kind of foam that I can't remember. It's a really more of a mushroom dish, but it's a great dish overall. Parmesan-Crusted Shutome - Wow! This was probably the thickest swordfish steak I've seen, and it was so damn juicy and it was cooked absolutely perfectly. It's really moist and and it slices like butter, and the crust is nice and crispy. This is probably one of the best shutome dishes I've tried. Ribeye Steak - Pretty damn good. Apparently, 53 by the Sea uses fresh, never-been-frozen local beef, which is pretty cool. Our server recommended this with the crispy sage and garlic sauce, and it went together very well with the steak. We ordered it medium rare, and it came out perfect. No complaints here. 53 by the Sea Pineapple Tart - I generally don't get really excited about tarts for dessert, but this one is stellar. It's served on some kind of sweet caramel sauce/fudge that I can't quite figure out. Well, whatever it is, it's good, and the crust on tart is excellent. It also comes with a scoop of vanilla bean gelato, which is made in-house. Tiramisu - It's good, but not wow like the tart. The cake part was a little dry, but overall, it was still pretty good. It's worth a try, but I probably wouldn't order it again. 53 by the Sea has an extensive wine list. Oh yeah! We had early reservations, so service was fantastic. Our server seemed a little nervous at times, but he was really good and made a lot of great recommendations for wine. Service slowed down a bit once the restaurant was full, but that's expected. Overall, I think 53 by the Sea is good for the price point. It's definitely worth checking out just to see this place, since there isn't anything else quite like it in Honolulu. Valet only!

Sally E.

We had the Mother & Daughter lunch on 08/20/14. Such a friendly service thru & thru. We'll be back for their happy hour, then dinner.

Sally R.

I enjoyed my dinner here place is gorgeous. And the service was excellent! We had a waiter who was from Scotland that I really really enjoyed. The food was tasty and the waiters were very understanding and helpful when it came to ordering. :)

Fran C.

I had a family birthday party to attend last night, and the location was at 53 By The Sea. Wow, the good ol' John Dominis location. When I got to the restaurant, the outside of the restaurant looked real grand........it kinda of reminded me of some rich guy's mansion. When I walked past the two very tall double doors, I was treated to an AWESOME sight of the entrance with a spectacular staircase & crystal chandelier.........I must say it was quite STUNNING! As we got seated, there was a bunch of people assisting us in getting settled in, & I was thinking........."man this is 1st Class Service".........(I will get back to you on this). We got to the restaurant just before dusk. During the time frame we got there, I must say the view was SPECTACULAR! The restaurant kept the same lines as the old John Dominis, for the view of the ocean, & the Ala Moana/ Waikiki/ Diamond Head coastline view. The lighting of the restaurant was very romantic, and I could see an extensive glass wine cellar.....so beautiful! As the evening progressed into the night, there happen to be a short fireworks show by the Ala Moana/ Ilikai Hotel area........and it was so beautiful. The staff at the restaurant even dimmed the lights further, so you could see the fireworks better, without the glare from the glass windows overlooking the coastline. Now we get to the food..........we had ordered two appetizers to share among the 12 of us.......we had ordered the Seafood Showcase ($30) which consisted of the following items - Lobster, Oysters, Sashimi, & Scallops. The appetizer was good, and you could taste the freshness of the seafood. They also provided complementary bread & this toast stick thingy........they gave you an olive oil / vinaigrette mixture to dip it in. From there, I picked a Heart of Romaine Salad ($12).........basically it just a fancy word for a Caesar Salad. They bring out several stocks of Romaine Lettuce drenched in Caesar dressing, and the waiter cuts up the Romaine Lettuce for you. Nothing spectacular about this...........tasted no better then me buying a Caesar Salad from Costco at the snack bar.........only difference is someone serves it to me, and cuts up the greens, then charges you 2 times more, but what do you expect........"gotta make a money" huh??? Overall........I'd say "Slightly Below Average". On to my entree.........this is where it does downhill for me. I had ordered the Grilled Opakapaka with Okinawan Sweet Potato Puree ($30) this was suppose to be one of the "Signature Dishes" for 53 By The Sea. I will tell you, the fish was very much overcooked, as some of the edges were very hard and not palatable, and the taste was very bland. I must say I was quite appalled by it, as I would be very embarrassed to serve something like this in an elegant restaurant. I just had some Opakapaka from Side Street Inn, and the fish was so soft, & very flavorful! 53 By The Sea will have to work on this dish, if they choose to list it as a "Signature Dish". Overall - TERRIBLE!!!! Shame on you for serving up something like that! How do you know if a dish is a "Signature Dish?" On the menu, right by the item is an asterek (*) which indicates it's a Signature Dish. On to desert..........I ordered the Vanilla Bean Gellato ($8).........this made up for the terrible entree I had, but how can you mess up a gellato anyway? Dessert - A-OKAY! Service was very attentive when we first got seated, but as time went on, & the restaurant got busier (for a Tuesday night they were packed), the service started to slide. After we got our drinks, appetizers, & salad...........the entree took forever before we got it, and to top it off...........my entree SUCKED! We had to ask the waiter & wait helper several times for basic things like filling up our hot tea pot, or water..........I fell that, this is something they should be commonly watching for, in an elegant restaurant like this. Also, on the menu.........it states that if your party is over 6 people, there is an automatic 18% gratuity?????? An 18% gratuity is fair if you are getting that level of service, but come on now..........the service we got was definitely not worth 18%. Parking is basically valet..........but there is a lot of street parking just adjacent to the restaurant. Here is my breakdown.......... Atmosphere & Ambiance = on a scale of 1 to 5 ...........10+!!! Food = 2 Service = 3

Mindy K.

Kayla R.

I wonder why it took me soooo long to review this place!! I LOVE 53~ I've been coming to this restaurant since they've opened and boy am I a fan! I love everything about it! (Seriously) from the valet guy (such a nice guy) to opening those HUGE doors, to the bathrooms, to the food, to the wonderful bartender! Seriously, I could go on and on! They recently changed the menu (for the better) it's a little more "higher scale" the show case has a lot more to give, and it comes out smoking! (Totally cool) i had the lobster and pea risotto, I'm really not a risotto fan from the start so I didn't know it too much, seemed like it was a little under cooked, but the lobster was wonderful, cooked perfectly and was laying in a amazing sauce. My boyfriend ordered the lobster and filet mignon, sooo good, in a red wine sauce. Cooked perfectly medium rare, was sooo tender and juicy, I could eat that every day! And I was lucky he shared his dish with me! THE DESSERT, always the best part. We had the banana bread pudding, so warm and sweet, sooo delish. And complementary dragon fruit sorbet, TO DIE FOR! Amazing! & I love the fact that whenever I go with my boyfriend we always get the same seats (the couples get place in the cute area) I always look forward to coming down here, I really need to set a day to go for lunch! (Heard it's pretty amazing)

Nicole K.

I have been to 53 By The Sea for both lunch and dinner and the food and view is excellent at any time of day! My family and I first visited about a month after it opened for my Grandpa's birthday over a year ago. Because their wait staff was still working out the kinks, we encountered a few minor problems with our service. They were friendly and warm, but you could easily tell who was the trainee and trainer by the not-so-sly instructions the trainer would give. We all ordered the Prix Fix Menu. I am sure this menu changes with the catch of the day and the chef's personal preferences, but if they ever offer the "Fruit Soup" for dessert, GET IT! When my co-workers and I went for lunch on a special occasion, I ordered the Jumbo Tiger Shrimp Salad. It was good, but I couldn't help but eye the more appealing choices everyone else made. That Point Break Crab Sandwich looked amazing! 53 By The Sea bakes their own bread, so when they bring out a tray for you to try, do not hesitate! Eat eat eat! It's none of that rye bread you get at other chain restaurants. Their bread is soft, warm, and freshly baked! Once again, service was so-so. Our waiter was attentive and helpful, but not very friendly. The views, whether daytime, dusk, or evening are breathtaking. If you can book an evening reservation, do it! It is absolutely gorgeous.

John F.

I went here recently for a sunset dinner. I prefer to park myself but it seemed that their complementary valet parking is part of their high service. We were directed to the main entrance where two larger than life doors magically opened from the inside. We were greeted & seated promptly. We started with the * 53 Seafood Showcase ($30) Original seafood cocktail platter (portioned for two), then the 53 Soup of The Day ($12) which was a seafood chowder that they split for us. We shared two entrees which were the By The Sea Spaghettini Frutti di Mare ($26) shrimp, scallop, crabmeat, clams, squid, mussels, light spicy tomato sauce, basil and the Grilled Black Angus Filet Mignon 6 oz. ($30) with a Cabernet wine reduction served with steamed seasonal vegetables. Dessert was a a fantastic complementary birthday special. The entire meal was a 5 star dining experience including white glove service from the entire wait staff. I was impressed to see them iron the tablecloth when turning over the table next to us for the next guests. See my many pictures! Save time by making your reservation using Open Table! opentable.com/hawaii/hon…

Roseanne R.

This was my very first time here and I loved it! When you pull in your are greeted with a gorgeous sight of the place! It looks like a grand mansion! Then when you pull up you are greeted by the valets. Wonderful valet service, very humourous guys. It doesn't end with the exterior of the place. When you walk in there is even more glamour. The inside is even more spectacular. There will be a grand staircase and you feel as if you're in a movie or something. Very overwhelming. The service couldn't have been even more spetacular. The server took care of us really well and even recommended her own favorite dishes. It seemed as if every person passing by would ask us how we were doing and if everything was fine. Now that is service. 5 stars for service. The food. The food was amazing. Yes, for a restaurant like this it is common to see a smaller portion for a pricier price, but that's expected with this kind of high end restaurant. I ordered the jumbo shrimp cocktail. It was alright to me, but my date loved it. The sauce that it came with was good. I just prefer my shrimp cooked differently. The crab cakes that he ordered though was DELICIOUS! I would order that as an appetizer again. For the entree I ordered the lobster and filet mignon. I love loved the lobster. Mmm! The filet mignon went well with the red wine sauce that came with it. In the end after all the appetizers I couldn't finish my remaining filet mignon because I was full. We did order desserts in the end though. The chocolate cake with ice cream. I don't really like the melted chocolate inside of my chocolate cake so maybe we should have ordered something different, but it did go nicely with the ice cream. Would try a different dessert next time though. Now the environment is just splendid! There is live piano music playing. We went on a Friday night so we had a view of the fireworks as well that lighted up at 7:45pm. The crew even dimmed the lights while the fireworks show started. Very romantic indeed. What a night. I'm glad I chose this place. This will be very memorable. I would definitely come here again when there is a lot more money in my wallet. Our bill came out more than expected, but it was well worth it in the end. Just something we would't do every time. This restaurant is great for special occassions and you want to splurge a little for that special someone. Check it out!

Esther K.

Liberty L.

The view of diamond head was breathtaking! Parking: We valeted the car but you can probably find street parking in that area. But beware, the area can be quite iffy. Nevertheless, the venue itself was magical! Food: - Escargot stuffed mushroom: it's just tomato sauce poured over mushrooms with snails. 3/5 - Ribeye 12oz: the portion looked small but it was delicious 4/5 - Surf and surf: again the portion was small and I wished they'd given me more shrimp 4/5 - lemonade crab cake: it was a bit dry and they only gave five pieces 3/5 - creme brûlée: the dessert looked pretty because it was in a coconut shell, but boy was it sweet! The whole top layer is sugar. Service: Our waitress was kind and attentive. The booth they have us was perfect because we got a clear view of diamond head.

Chris O.

Excellent, attentive service! Beautiful location and decor. My new favorite restaurant!

C-Dubs W.

My girlfriend was going on about this place, and yes it's awesome! Definitely a nice place to do lunch and a pretty good deal (your lunch entree includes a aperitif and desert, both of which are broke da mouth!). Definitely a 'date' kind of place.

Amara E.

For Talor M.'s last birthday, we opted for fine dining. We drove toward the Ward/Kakaako area headed for a restaurant that was formally John Dominis. As we drove along, we passed by industrial-looking buildings, saw a couple homeless folks and continued down the bumpy road. Could this really be the location for fine dining? When we reached the end of the road, we were shocked/lost/confused. Let me ask you this: Have you ever been to the French Riviera? Yeah, neither have I, but I imagine this place is what the villas there look like. The entrance is very imposing, with large white arches and a fountain that is illuminated at night. There is valet parking and a valet is there to greet you as you approach the entrance doors. Inside, I immediately noticed the high ceiling, white tile floors, a grand marble (-looking) staircase, and a large chandelier. Was I attending a function hosted by Mr. Jay Gatsby himself? The establishment alone builds a lot of hype, but is it justified by its food? We soon found out... We ordered: 1) Lobster bisque: A small soup appetizer to start us off. The soup was small, but creamy with a couple small chunks of lobster. The flavor was excellent and the presentation was fabulous. 2) Roasted lamb: Before I start this portion of the review, know that I am not a big fan of lamb. I don't like the aftertaste, but birthday boy LOVES his lamb. The meat came out over a bed of vegetables. The vegetables were underseasoned, particularly the mashed baby potatoes. It was difficult to bite into and I'm assuming whatever seasoning was added didn't have a chance to soak in to the veggies. The lamb was pretty tough and chewy. Not a fan of this dish. 3) Tiramisu: Very, very creamy cake. As in pure cream. I generally prefer a little more cake in my tiramisu, but it's all a matter of personal preference. Was it worth the price tag? No. Now why only 3 stars? Service and food. The interior and the lobster bisque really set our expectations high. We had assumed that each dish would just get better and better, but unfortunately, it was a let down. There was a huge waitstaff the day we were there, but we seemed to be receiving incredibly slow service. There were waiters walking back and forth, but not greeting or serving any guests. It also took them forever to bring out the food. I swear we waited at least an hour for food. It didn't seem like an especially busy night to be too pre-occupied to acknowledge customers, but I guess they had enough time to IRON their tablecloth. (Yes, I saw two guys ironing tablecloth together.) 53 by the Sea has a spectacular view of the water and an amazing facility. They could do so much more with this restaurant/wedding chapel if they worked on improving the quality of food and provided better training in customer service for their staff. They seem too fixated on the grandiose image of the restaurant, while overlooking critical components that build customer loyalty and bring people back to dine.

Rojan T.

Outstanding customer service. The food was delicious and well prepared. The scenery is the most attractive aspect of dining here. You can't beat the view of the pacific ocean and Diamond Head. It has the classic postcard look. The prices are a steep, but worth it.

James T.

andrew h.

Angela H.

The food was amazing. The ambiance was as well. We went for our anniversary, and I called and asked them for the best seat in the house. It looks like they pushed tables aside and placed us, literally, in the best seat in the house with a love seat facing Diamond Head and Waikiki. I couldn't have been more happy with our table, the ambiance and food. The drinks however, were horrible. I write this review hoping that the manager can address this issue with whatever bartender was working on September 10th, 2015. My husband does not drink, and wanted to enjoy a few cocktails with me. I drink often, so I was excited. My first drink was phenominal, it was a rose champagne drink, and it was delicious. My husband ordered a specialty cocktail, it had the name pink in it, and he didn't care for it. So they take away that drink, and my husband orders a Sea Blue. He takes and sip, and it was horrible. He had me try (my family has owned a restaurant/bar/grill all of my life, so I can tell if a cocktail is amazing or if it is poorly made). The Sea Blue tasted like gasoline. We would joke that if we held up a lighter, that we would be able to breathe fire. He passed that drink on to me, and for the $12, I forced myself to finish it. Dinner and Dessert came out, both fantastic. I decided to try another drink on their menu, their version of a bloody mary. HORRIBLE. WAY TOO MUCH VODKA, again, I had to force myself to finish it as my husband was loosing patience with the whole situation because of the poor drink quality. My husband finally gave up and ordered a beer so he wouldn't be disappointed yet again. All in all, we loved the food, the service, the ambiance, and had the bar served properly made cocktails, we would have given this place five stars. I will go back, and I do recommend this place to others. I write this review simply for the managers so they can address the one issue with whomever was pouring drinks that one night. Please don't let this stop you from going, the whole evening was definitely a treat!

Asia B.

I went here for a dinner last year, and it was probably the best dining experience I've ever had. This place is gorgeous. The stairs, the view, the decor, everything! You would never think that a place so beautiful would be in a somewhat sketchy area (lol). But that doesn't stop me from going there, and it definitely shouldn't stop ANYONE. I'm not 21, so I can't have alcohol, but a great non-alcoholic drink to try is the flower bouquet. It's probably the most girly drink I'll ever order in my lifetime, but it's so good that sometimes I think about it even a year after having it. We had the escargot stuffed mushrooms, 53 Fresh Catch, and the Rib Eye. All were amazing. Dessert was great too--we ordered the kona coffee gelato(?) and the strawberry short cake, and we got a free chocolate soufflé! I would totally come back here for another fancy dinner. 10/10

Mark B.

Attended a business dinner here and throughly enjoyed the experience. Wonderful ambiance and a delightful staff made this a memorable experience. The view was a added plus.

Tanya E.

I went for lunch with my cousin for the first time. The first thing you see is a beautiful estate. Then you enter and you're immediately charmed by the view and then by the decor. Did I mention the VEIW! All lunch items include an amuse bouche and dessert. The amuse bouche was light and refreshing. As was my drink. Our server Kristie suggested the Heat Wave, nice citrus flavors with just the right amount of heat. For our entrees we choose to share the lobster sandwich with side salad and the chicken with creamy mushroom risotto and veg. Both plates were delicious. The sandwich had clean flavors, very good crab meat. The chicken was very well cooked and not too rich. Dessert was a mix plate, coconut gelato, strawberry short cake, blueberry cheesecake, and fresh fruit. My fav was the coconut gelato. Service was nicely paced and our server Kristie was awesome. I'll definitely be back.

Anna K.

53 by the sea is BEAUTIFUL. It's so beautiful that I told my bf if we ever won a billion dollars our future house will look just like the restaurant. Sorry to my bf since I'm 100% sure if we won a billion dollars he wouldn't want to blow it up on a house.. especially one that was an exact replica of the restaurant. AHAHAHAHA, oh my poor bf. Anyways, I went there for lunch with my bf's family and it was simply ok. I was a little underwhelmed since the place looked so amazing, I thought the food would match. Sadly it didn't. For lunch they have a 3 course set. The appetizer was probably the best thing served. There's 5 abuse bouche, a frittata, humus, quiche, tako poke, and a last item that I can't remember. For the main course I chose the fruiti de mari. The dish was bland but really enjoyed the fact that there was a lot of seafood in the dish. My bf had the ribeye baguette sandwich. He wasn't impressed either. The dessert was a brownie with a scoop of coconut ice cream. The brownie was slightly dry. Luckily there was ice cream so it saved the dish. Overall, 53 by the sea is a place I'll pass on if I wanted to eat, especially for lunch. I wouldn't mind going there for drinks and chilling outside. I mean, hello you get a view of Diamond Head and the beautiful waters. Basically, it's a view that makes you want to scream "lucky we live Hawaii!!!!".

Erica A.

53 By the Sea is as stunning. The interior is absolutely gorgeous, elegant and upscale- yet the price is surprisingly affordable. They even offered valet parking which was much appreciated. The staff was so friendly and accommodating, and made excellent recommendations. The dishes were full of fresh, vibrant flavours, a refreshing blend of local flavours with European cuisine. I just went for a quiet lunch with a good friend, but even then the smallest details were well cared for, the portions were great, and everything was delicious. I would love to go again if I ever had the occasion.

Jo C.

I went to a girlfriends Birthday Dinner and it was Amazing. We had a private room upstairs to the right hand side and the view was just gorgeous facing diamond head. Very elegant and charming room they even custom printed out our menu we had 4 courses and dessert. The service was excellent from the minute the valet got our cars. The bread basket they served was warm and tasty. We had the Lobster Roll, King Crab Cocktail, House salad, Mushroom Risotto and Surf and Turf with Ono. Everything on the menu was really good and I really have nothing bad to say. The servers allowed our party to have privacy but were very prompt with our needs and were refilling waters and taking drink orders throughout the night. I would definitely come here again for the view, food and service. I would recommend this place. I think the ONLY downfall but its not the fault of the restaurant is all the homeless tents that you will pass on your way here, I'm hoping they will clean up the area soon, other than that....Great experience and restaurant.

LaRaina W.

Today to celebrate my Grandma's 87th birthday we decided to dress up and get a little fancy. I made reservations through the Yelp app just in case but it wasn't very busy once we arrived (a little late but the hostess was very nice lol). The ambiance is elegant and very historic, which I adore and is much needed in the land of slippas and board shorts. Our server was polite and very knowledgeable to answer all of my parties repeated questions and my particular wine preferences. Overall it was beautiful 3 hour dinner and my Grandma enjoyed her birthday, though she can't remember it, we have the delightful photos to remind her.

Lina C.

Gorgeous restaurant. Perfect for special occasion. You will be impressed with the grand staircase upon entering the beautiful restaurant. Then you will be in love with the panoramic view of Waikiki, Diamond Head, and the ocean. Impeccable and friendly service. Warm complimentary bread with lilikoi (passion fruit) butter. The escargot stuffed mushrooms were great to start though I would've liked them hotter in temperature as they were lukewarm. The shrimp and king crab entree Surf & Surf was decent, but the shrimps were a bit tough and crab salty. The filet mignon came lukewarm, but the meat is tender. The tasting menu is a good bargain for $100 that let's you try a variety of house specialities. Highly recommend the lobster bisque with succulent lobster pieces and the seared scallop. Love the plantation iced tea. Overall, a definite treat when in Hawaii. It's worth the drive from Waikiki and has a view of the Friday night fireworks.

Shane V.

The ambiance of the restaurant is quite amazing with its breathtaking views of the ocean looking toward the iconic Diamond Head. We got a private room upstairs for our large party. The wait staff & was superb. They were consistently attentive without being overbearing or distracting. They also were very knowledgeable about the menu & when asked specific questions about a particular cherry in a drink our server (Matt) spoke about it at length, impressing our party. He went the extra mile by bringing an empty bottle of the cherry to show us what it was. 5 stars for service!! Apps: -seafood carpaccio: a variety of good quality fish served on a platter. Tasted ok. -escargot stuffed mushrooms: delicious! A must have! Savory without being salty & perfectly cooked. -of course don't forget about the house bread with lilikoi butter Soups: -clam chowder: surprisingly healthy portions of clams. Thin, but great tasting. -lobster bisque: (not tasted) smaller portion size, not the usual orange hue, friend said it was "good." -house salad: (not tasted) generous portion. Entrees: -scallops: perfectly seasoned, beautiful presentation, small portion size (as to be expected), served with asparagus. -ribeye: large 12oz cooked exactly as ordered, seasoning left something to be desired. It wasn't bland, but could have been better. Served with a nice balance of blanched broccolini & a tablespoon of mashed potatoes. -lamb chops: (not tasted) large portions plated very nicely, friend said "it's just okay" -surf & surf: seemed to be the evenings winner, generous portions, wonderful presentation & "tasted delicious" Dessert: -tiramisu: was the group favorite. Presented in a coconut shell it was light & fluffy & not overtly sweet. Quite the novelty! -chocolate cake: restaurant standard, but still very good. Flourless & dense covered in raspberries served with vanilla bean ice cream. There were several other food items throughout the evening but were mostly unremarkable. These included: basil pesto scampi (not tasted, generous portion size), catch of the day (monchong, traditionally prepared), green tea mousse cake (would not recommend), & banana bread pudding.

Savannah D.

I loved 53 by the sea! We booked ahead of time and were greater at the door and still asked what kind of table we wanted. The setting was really nice to take pictures in and I think it would be really fun to go on a girls date and take a lot of photos. The apps were all pretty good. I loved the oysters escargot and foie gras especially. The main dishes we had were so-so to be honest. Also no one took our order for 30 minutes which was a drag so that is why I couldn't give 5 stars. Next time I will save room for dessert!

Kristine R.

I made reservations for a Sunday night right before sunset and was surprised that they weren't that busy. The hostess seated us outside which I was really happy about. There aren't very many tables outside so it was really private out there. The view was so beautiful which made our dinner date 10x better! We ordered the tasting menu and every course was amazing and I cleaned every plate off. (well, almost) Everything was prepared to perfection. They brought out the food pretty fast and the waitress was great. The 5 course meal was $100 per person. They even gave us complimentary strawberry shortcake at the end which was so delicious! We don't really drink but my husband had a couple of beers and I had a virgin strawberry lemonade. At the end of the night including tip, we ended up paying $300. Kind of pricey but worth it. The food: 1st course - Sashimi Trio (wasabi tobiko, ikura, chive oil) -- One of my favorite courses! 2nd course- Heart of Palm & Watercress Salad (poached shrimp, orange & grapefruit supreme, citrus vinaigrette) -- Not really a big fan of heart of palm but not bad. 3rd course - Seared Diver Scallop (tomato, truffle, sherry honey gastrique) -- The scallop was the bomb!! I had to order seconds 4th course - Fresh Catch (sunburst squash, baby zucchini, brown butter reduction) - I forgot what type of fish it was but this was definitely my favorite course. 5th course - Petite Filet Mignon (with asparagus, king trumpet mushroom, red wine reduction) This filet mignon was a good size and I couldn't even finish it. My husband ended up eating the rest of mine. 6th course - Coconut Panna Cotta (lilikoi, mango) -- SO YUMMY!!! Valet parking is complimentary. Everything about this place was perfect. :)

Pam M.

I've dined here several times but most recently, last night for a business dinner. You're greeted by a beautiful, large staircase (which leads to the private dining area upstairs). We proceeded to the bar to enjoy cocktails before dinner. My favorite cocktail is their 53 Bellini, which was renamed to Peach Royale. Our group of 13 were seated but it took about 30 minutes to receive dining menus. After taking our orders, we didn't receive bread, until we requested it. The bread arrived, nice & warm, and their tropical flavored butter complimented the bread perfectly. For appetizers, my coworkers ordered the fresh oysters (6 on the half shell) which they enjoyed, lobster bisque (rich & full of flavor, not heavy per the 3 people that had the bisque), I had the foie gras, which was seared perfectly and accompanied by toasted sweet bread, pear compote & ginger gastrique, which was delicious! If you like foie gras, you must try this dish. For entrées, several people ordered the filet mignon, 53's Fresh Catch, Surf & Surf (jumbo prawn, king crab), lobster & filet mignon combo, which all received tasty feedback. I had the butter poached Maine lobster, with sweet pea risotto. I enjoyed the delicate & tender lobster but the risotto was just OK. We shared a few desserts - haupia creme brulee, which is a huge portion, warm chocolate cake & strawberry shortcake. My favorite was the chocolate cake & if you like chocolate, you'll love this cake. The views of Diamond Head & point panic are beautiful.

Lisa E.

This place is so beautiful! The lobby confused me because it looked like I just walked into someone's gorgeous house. Once we were greeted and led to our table, the view of Diamond Head took my breath away. Of course we had to walk outside for sunset pictures, and the staff were kind enough to take our pictures so we didn't look like fools with a selfie stick. Food was just as amazing. I had the steak and crab legs with asparagus. So tender, so delicious! We ordered an appetizer thing with the lobster as well, also wonderful! First time trying fois gras; um, well, I guess it was good, but I couldn't get past the fact that it was duck liver. Once is enough. Surely a fine dining establishment for special occasions only. Super pricey, but it was my birthday so I didn't have to pay, otherwise I wouldn't have gone here. Although that view...do it at least once, splurge, you won't regret it!

Loryn G.

I absolutely LOVE this place. It is a perfect date night spot-- though pricey, I think it is totally worth it. It is one of those places that you kinda don't feel like you are in Honolulu-- even the menu describes it as a Mediterranean villa. Side note- I think the place makes most it's money off of all the Japanese weddings they book (they have multiple banquet halls upstairs), with grand views of Diamond Head which can be viewed through floor to ceiling windows. Walking in through GINORMOUS doors in the front, you are greeted with a beautiful Scarface-esque stair case that winds around each side of the grand entry way. The host staff are gracious and prompt to greet you. A couple notes before you go-- I highly recommend reservations, and also make sure to have a bit of cash on you because the parking is valet only (validated, so you just pay tip). The dining room is lovely, the service is fancy (like, they push in your chair when you sit down and they lay the napkin on your lap for you). They have a beautiful bar area with an extensive wine selection and some great specialty cocktails between about $10 and $13. I recommend the escargot-stuffed mushrooms- they are HUGE and come in a marinara-type of sauce with crostinis. I also highly recommend the crab cakes- they have almost zero "filler" - mostly pure Alaskan king crab meat. My favorite entree so far is the Surf and Surf- with huge prawns and chunks of Alaskan king crab that is the best on the island (I am a seafood buff)-- this dish was served with broccolini and delicious mashed potatoes and was a little under $30. For dessert, get the Haupia Creme brulee-- OOH LA LA. Served in a coconut shell and big enough to serve 4 people. Delicious! The ambiance is good, and on the Friday night that I dined, they had lovely live music. First, someone was playing classical music on the grand piano by the bar, and a little later in the night a jazzy 3-person band came and performed. Bellissimoi! I will be back!!

Emi H.

It's hard for me to believe that it took me this long to eat at 53 By The Sea! I think the initial first reviews were so up and down that it discouraged me from making it a priority on my ever growing list of must eats in Honolulu. A new friend picked this as our lunch date location and I'm so happy that fate brought me to such a beautiful venue. As I drove up to 53 By The Sea and the first thing I noticed about the exterior were the gigantic black doors. When you open the doors you're greeted by an extravagant staircase. Once you're seated at your table you're then treated to one of the most amazing ocean views in Honolulu as you watch countless surfers catch waves in the distance. To start, we were served a very fancy amuse bouche that had an assortment of six different complex bites. It was soooo fancy! My friend ordered the wild salmon and I decided on the bolognese pasta. They accidentally brought me the seafood pasta and quickly corrected their error by delivering my dish quickly. Bolognese pasta = Divine in every way possible! Service during our visit to 53 By The Sea was impeccable and the entire wait staff was on hand to check on us during every point of our dining experience. Entrees at 53 By The Sea range from $22-$45 for lunch and I can't wait to see what the dinner menu looks like. Parking is complimentary valet. If you're looking for the perfect place to have a romantic date or celebrate a special occasion 53 By The Sea should definitely be on your list! If you've got kids I wouldn't recommend bringing little diners here simply because the restaurant is very quiet and if you're like me, you'll be completely paranoid about ruining someone else's dinner with the extra noise of children. #DateNight

Nicole K.

We celebrated our 1st Wedding Anniversary here last night. It was perfect. The sat us on a loveseat and we had a beautiful view of Honolulu and Waikiki. Though I expected the front house staff to be a little more 'polished,' they were all very friendly and efficient. Our server was polite, knowlegeable, and friendly. The food was what I expected it to be...delicious. We ordered two apps: escargot stuffed mushrooms and FOIE GRAS. Mmmm. We will never forget how YUMMY it was!! THAT was the showstopper. For mains we ordered lamb and sea bass. Both equally magical. The prices are what you'd expect to pay at a fine dining restaurant. $20-70 a plate. I think it is reasonable. We are BIG eaters, and already planned to go somewhere after dinner to reallly eat. Like Zippy's. Haha! But there was absolutely NO room for even dessert! Though they did give us a complimentary Anniversary cake slice. The bathrooms are lovely, and the toilets have bidet options. They were, however, out of paper or hand towels when I was in there. The ambience is exquisite and you are greeted by a grand staircase that leads up to private rooms, I think. We were seated below, but our view of Waikiki was still spectacular. We enjoyed ourselves and would love to make it an annual thing.

Jannet L.

Okay gonna give five stars bc went back and the hostess who seated us did this totally unexpected awesome thing. Went with mom for lunch and we were getting seated. The hostess removes the white napkin from in front of my seat only and places black napkin. Mom still has white napkin. So I'm trying to figure out if this black napkin is to wipe the menu or some other purpose. And she's waiting for me to put it in my lap before she hands us the menu. And then it clicked - I'm wearing black pants and she had grabbed me a black napkin so I wouldn't get white lint all over my pants. Consider my mind blown by the thoughtful service. Maybe I am so unsophisticated so haven't been to fancy places but this is the first time that I've had that happen. Really impressed me! Food was yummy, Bloody Mary yummy, views amazing - all around really enjoyable experience. Marble and iron sopranos style decor notwithstanding.

Wing L.

Let me start off by saying, the SEAFOOD is so yummy here! Go for the sea, not the land. We had dinner reservations here for a group of 6 of us and were seated in the middle of the dining room with a great view of the ocean. Complimentary valet parking ONLY when you pull up to the front of the restaurant. Don't forget to tip after your meal! You're greeted with large doors at the front and once those doors open, a grand set of stairs. We were there around Christmas, so they had a beautiful Christmas tree up for decor! The windows here are so clean and they go from floor to ceiling, so you don't miss a beat on the view outside. Absolutely gorgeous restaurant with a stunning view! Wine & drinks - Lots of choices and they have some cool cocktails too. They also have happy hour at the bar, so if you don't want to fancy an expensive dinner, I would definitely recommend coming here for some drinks or small bites. Apps - Lemonade Crab Cakes were awesome - the lemon sauce they use here is delicious! Just sweet enough and "lemony" enough where I want to smother my food with it. Sashimi was good too as well as the Escargot. Great choices! Entree - I ordered the Surf & Surf which was jumbo prawns and king crab meat. Like I said, the seafood is good here! It was a good portion for me - I couldn't finish it myself. My boyfriend had the lamb chops and they were good, but a little dry. He wishes he could the seafood :) Dessert - SO MANY GOOD OPTIONS! Whatever sounds good to you, I'm sure you got a winner. The Warm Chocolate Cake was delish. I would even just come back to try their other desserts! Since the name of the restaurant is called 53 By The Sea - I recommend ordering the seafood here. You can't go wrong!

Yvonne M.

5 Stars for Lunch!! But still 4 Stars for dinner. (See dinner review below ) The lunch is great because the views are even more amazing and the food prices are decent because it includes an amuse bouche, the entree, and a dessert! So worth it for Mother's day or a birthday lunch! I came here to celebrate one of my best friend's birthday! **The amuse bouche included with our meal :) yelp.com/biz_photos/53-b… 1) Point Panic Crab Sandwich yelp.com/biz_photos/53-b… 2) Ribeye Baguette Sandwich 3) Frutti di Mare yelp.com/biz_photos/53-b…

Jenna G.

I really wanted this place to be amazing. I made reservations for a Friday night to celebrate our Anniversary. I know the fireworks go off at 7:45 so I asked for a table by the window, they couldn't promise that. We decided to leave the house a bit early in order to get there at a decent time. Once we got closer I was skeptical due to the surroundings. The restaurant offers complimentary valet parking, tips are appreciated. The gentleman opened my door and went around to the driver's side. He told us which door to enter for the restaurant, but I wanted to take a few pics of the outside. When we walked in, the decor was amazing. There was a gorgeous staircase coming down and they had a tree next to it decorated for Christmas. We were greeted by the hostess who took us to the bar since we were about 30 minutes early. As she sat us, she told us "Happy Anniversary." The bartender handed us a menu and mentioned it was still happy hour prices. We each ordered a drink and the shrimp cocktail. My husband ordered another drink and then it was time to go to our table. We decided to transfer our bar drinks to our bill and pay at the table later, but we left a tip there. We were able to choose between 2 tables, one by the window and one with a 2 seater couch behind another table. We chose the one by the table even though it was near a larger party. Our chairs were pulled out for us and napkins placed in our lap. Our waitress was very quick to come over and tell us her name. We ordered 2 appetizers and I ordered soup. The food was very good and didn't take too long to come out. I ordered a noter drink, trying to prolong our time there to ensure we would see the fireworks. We ordered our entree's and just chatted. We walked outside for a few pics as well. Once we finished everything, our waitress handed us a dessert menu. I thought we ordered a dessert and the chef would write a Happy Anniversary message on it. We chose the warm chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. It came out but didn't have anything written on it. I mention something to the gentleman who brought it out and watched him tell our waitress something. About 5 minutes later, another dessert plate came out that said "Happy Anniversary." Our bill came when we finished and we made sure to look it over. We did not get to pay happy hour prices for the items ordered at the bar. We paid for the first dessert too. I feel for the amount we paid, we should have been able to have a few things adjusted. The food seemed just okay. The fireworks were beautiful and I am happy we had a chance to watch them. I will not go back here, I think I can go to a better restaurant next time.

C K.

Went for Mother's Day and boy o boy I wish I would have gone here a long time ago. Atmosphere was fantastic. I was able to bring my 10 month old with no issues. Appetizer was the lemonade crab cakes... Superb!!!! Next I had the lobster and my husband had the surf and surf, both excellent and filling The dessert was the BOMB!!! Banana Bread pudding just the right size to share too. Thanks for making my 1st Mother's Day special!

Amy D.

Wow, a local friend and I were discussing restaurants and I mentioned I like Hsar and Stage. He said he would recommend I try 53 By The Sea as it has a beautiful view and fabulous service. Another local said it was really nice and when you pull up you'll think you are at some rich old guys house. Wow, wow, did I say wow? It truly looked like a mansion and the entry was gorgeous. Once inside it was elegant and the view breathtaking. We chose a table on the glass in the bar. Our server was so sweet and super attentive. We were immediately given napkins that would not leave lint on our clothing which I am a big fan of. We ordered a bottle of Chardonnay and it was brought promptly. For dinner we started with a caesar salad and three girls shared it as it was very large and plenty for a starter. The server was nice enough to tell us that. Then my friend and I decided to share the surf and turf and our other friend chose the lobster. We also ordered a side dish of mushrooms. Everything was absolutely fabulous and top notch other than the mushrooms... they were fine but not great. I'd likely try another side dish next time. We ended with a banana bread pudding that was absolutely unbelievable! OH EM GEE - YUMMY!!! Seriously one amazing dessert. HIGHLY recommend this. Other fun things: hostess took several pictures of us which was sweet, the entire staff serving us were ON IT not a detail was missed and it truly felt like fine dining (as it should for the prices but totally worth it) and a wonderful pianist played in the bar at 6:30 which we really enjoyed. Finally you have to go to the bathroom. Toilets are fantastic. You'll see.

Lil T.

As a visitor, this is my favorite restaurant for a quiet evening dinner. I hear lunch is just as exquisite. Ok, next time. The drive to this place is awkward because the surrounding area is quite industrial and a little seedy but when you finally arrive..oh the beautiful, spectacular view of the large plantation building is worth the trip. Then you enter the large double doors and see a huge staircase and beyond that a wonderful view of diamond head and Waikiki! This place got a five star just for its location and view... But no 53 continues to amaze...the front reception is warm and welcoming; very respectful and polite. The table settings are impeccable and extravagant. The service was friendly and reliable. The drinks were great! My Chilean sea bass was delish..and the seafood platter was awesome! Ambiance is wonderful; quiet, sophisticated, spectacular view.. Service is great.. Food is so good just what fine dining is about.. My go to place on every visit back to Oahu!

Kim W.

This place is elegant and classy, with beautifully presented delicious food and an ambiance straight out of a movie. Also, they appealed to my inner science nerd by using dry ice on the seafood showcase. I mean, who WOULDN'T love a dish with bubbling smoke, right? I feel like this component would even up the ante of salted cardboard on a plate. I probably would have stared at it for a lot longer, but a) there was yummy seafood to eat and b) the person I ate with has been known to sneak delicious food from under my nose on occasion when I am not looking. To top it off, I think that the haupia creme brulee served in a coconut is probably the best creme brulee I have ever had in my life. Coming from a person who would probably eat dessert 3 times a day if she could, this says a lot.

Tiffany N.

This is fancy restaurant. It is beautiful! You can see the beach! It does required reservation, they do ask you the reason why you're here because they offer complimentary desserts. My bf and I went here for our anniversary. And we loved it! Right about 7:30pm they have fireworks right outside of the beach. All lights and music in the restaurant are turned off! First off, gotta love their breads and house cheese (mixed with pineapple?) it was so good! Their good was semi average because you can pretty much dine somewhere else and get about the same flavor as this restaurant. It is the setting of this restaurant, and beach view. Secondly, if you do decide to order wine. They do pour it into a nice tall vase, not like any other places. Last, their restroom. Lol. Kinda weird to mention. But it's funny. They have buttons to clean your front and rear LOL! As soon as you sit down. The seat is already warmed up. So crazy! Honestly , it is a 4 stars restaurant, yet it isn't that price. Maybe around $70 per person. It's not too bad. Their dinner dishes are about 30-60. :)

Alissa H.

I LOVED THIS RESTAURANT. Took my boyfriend here for his birthday and we couldn't get over the food and the bathrooms. The food is so amazing and even though it looks small it's perfect. The appetizer we got was fois gras, which was my first time eating this, and it was soooo good! I ate fish and it was delicious and tasted like buttered popcorn and he had lamp chops and he said it was super good. I loved the ambiance of the restaurant and it was so beautiful. The bathrooms are really nice and have cool toilets (like the ones in Japan). The staff was very friendly and we got a complimentary cake for his birthday. I would definitely love to come here again.

Neen J.

Incredible! We loved the huge wooden doors as we entered and the setting is stunning. The food was beautifully presented and the service was exceptional. We ordered the seafood platter to share for two as an appetizer and it was served over dry ice and so fresh and a huge serving. I enjoyed the mushroom risotto with truffles and it was delicious. My honey ordered the butter poached lobster with fresh green pea risotto and he loved it. Dessert was Coconut pannacotto with sorbet and passionfruit sauce - also delish! This place has a great view, a wonderful menu and fabulous service.

Taylor A.

Just came in to physically see a menu. I was wanting and willingly about to spend a lot for a nice night with my spouse to celebrate an important occasion. Of course I was not dressed to the "nines". So because I was not dressed nicely I received the worst customer service from the hostess that I have ever experienced , if that is how you treat your potential customers then I rather take my business else where. It was unprofessional and discriminating. I did not appreciate her attitude what so ever. Never ever will I want to even think of going here because of this encounter.

Jonathan P.

I recently had the great privilege to celebrate a very special anniversary dinner at 53 By The Sea. The restaurant is a marvelous establishment which has the architecture and breathtaking views replicated by only a few others in Hawaii. Before coming here I heard some mix reviews about 53's menu, which is based upon fresh and locally grown produce. But luckily a good friend of mine recommended their top picks and I'm glad I followed their advice! My top picks were the 53 Seafood Showcase $30 yelp.com/user_local_phot… , Grilled Veal Chop $40 yelp.com/user_local_phot… , and the Tiramisu $10 yelp.com/user_local_phot… . All three dishes were executed perfectly and prepared with amazing detail and beauty. But I have to admit, I can understand how some people believe 53's food to be just "so-so." There was the 53 Original Tart with Gelato (the gelato flavor changes monthly) which was very... different. The gelato was eggnog flavored and didn't seem to compliment the Tart at all. But both would be perfectly fine if served alone! I have to admit, before coming to 53 I read a lot about the amazing facilities and was a bit curious. After seeing it for myself, I'm in awe and wish I had that at home. The lids open for you upon opening the stall and have a side control panel with all those fancy features. Overall the service was impeccable and consistent with the very high standards one expects of a fancy restaurant. The decor was luxurious and grand. The dark and subtle lighting of the restaurant created the perfect atmosphere for romance. What made things even better was the live piano music played by what seemed to be a piano professional. What I thought was a CD playing "River Flows In You, by Yiruma" turned out to be a live pianist! The pianist was absolutely stunning and flawless with every note. To make my experience even better was that there was an attendant to open and close the huge luxurious looking wooden doors upon entry and departure and that the valet attendants remembered my car without me having to give them my valet stub! The combination of elegance, beautiful scenery, and superb customer service has definitely won me over and I will definitely be back in the near future.

Rick T.

First of all reservations were easy to make via yelp and open table. I didn't get the 6pm but was offered 530pm and 630pm, so opt for the earlier one and maybe catch the sunset (but was a bad weather day). Easy to find if you know the area or old John Dominis (I walk my dog Kakaako so knew the place well). After you get pass the slums, you turn into what seems to look like a mansion in Kahala and the valet takes your car (free just tip). You go through these giant doors and think to yourself is it even open yet, but once you get in you are met by the famous staircase (that you aren't allowed to go up), but you are able to take pix by it. The seating area is nice where they place you by the window overlooking the water or in a mini booth with pillows! It all depends on your party size. There are many different staff members including your main waiter, helpers, a Japanese guy that helps the Nihonjin (there was a lot there, how they know about the place I have no idea), and I am guessing some other helpers. Started off with the 2 signature cocktails. You would think the one with strawberry was good, but the peach one was better. Appetizers were a lobster bisque which was OK mostly due to the fact that there were huge chunks of lobster in it. The other appetizer was just a regular green salad, which lacked flavor and needed more dressing (I used the oil/vinegar for the bread). Sorry first thing they give you is a bread bowl with 3 different types: cibatta, sweet and regular with walnut? Main entree was a lobster linguini (best thing) and the opakapaka (supposedly a signature dish). Lobster linguini was awesome! Good portion and had a nice cajun kick to it. Not stingy on the lobster again... Opakapaka was OK, but the okinawan sweet potato on the bottom took over the dish and didnt seem to mesh well. What was good about the dish, were the maui onions mmmm. Dessert was a lava flow cake and tart, both had vanilla gelato. By this time I was pretty full, but the other half said that it was the best choco cake thing she ever ate. The tart was lackluster and the gelato was decent. All in all I would go at least once to experience it. Total bill was less than $200, which is cheaper than most fine dining. Get the lobster linguini and enjoy the view (hopefully less gloomy than when I went). Take a pic by the stairs and maybe the big doors. Forgot to mention a small fountain on the right in the lot and make sure you use the Toto in the bathroom. Now that I think about it one other thing that was a turn off was there were a few flies in the dining area. Very irritating! Don't know if it from the proximity to the ocean or what, but what a turn off!

G G.

ANSWER YOUR PHONES! I call to double check on the dress code for lunch and dinner. When i first dialed the number someone picked up the phone, all I heard was dead air, then 'click'. I tried calling again, and again, then later got one of those automated 'this phone do not take voice message please call back again'. I called at least 7 or more time and FINALLY got hold of someone. I WAS interested on going there for lunch or dinner and already booked my reservation through open table but now I decided to cancel my reservation. Management staff...many of your clients start from a phone call. It is that call that will take in business. You might want to train to staff to answer phones in a professional matter.

Joanne P.

Amazing experience. Japanese service and amenities in a western setting. We were amused to see a busboy ironing the table next to us. The bathrooms with their fancy Japanese toilets were also entertaining. This place is cool. Maybe the nicest locale for lunch in town. Take your girlfriends here if you feel like dressing up and having a great meal. Or do what I did and have a romantic double date by the sea. As we dined, I noticed a BIG yacht cruise by on its way out to the sea. It was actually more like a ship but I called it a yacht because of all the recreational water vehicles stowed in back including A HELICOPTER. I asked the waiter about it and he said it's Larry Ellison's yacht. Well, okay! The only parking is valet but it's complimentary so I'm good with that. I typically get dressed up for this kind of restaurant so I don't mind paying $2 in tip to avoid walking in high heels any further than i have to. As we left, we asked about the wedding facilities. The hostess told us that the wedding chapels upstairs are only for small weddings of about 15 guests. So visitors only--no local weddings here!

Remee A.

This is a beautiful restaurant with an AWESOME view, although I do miss the homey feel of the previous restaurant, John Dominis. The service was excellent, the staff was also extremely knowledgeable. We started our meal with escargot, this was prepared nicely and the sauce was good. We also had the sampler for 2 which had a nice selection of fresh ahi, hamachi, lobster, and scallops (I would definitely recommend this dish) I also had the arugula salad, it was over dresses, I didn't really care for it. Someone else in my party had a caesar salad which looked way better. For the main course I had the clam risotto, which was served al dente, it felt like it was missing something so I added fresh grated parmesan cheese which made it better. We also had the ahi entree, the fish was perfect but it seemed like it had too much sauce. For dessert, the tiramisu was perfect! The price was good for the portion size of food you get. I would probably recommend coming right before sunset, I had a hard time looking at the view because of the reflection in the glass.

Emily D.

I feel like I have to give this place a 1 star just to even out all the poorly decided upon "5s" that this establishment has racked up, but just due to the alright service and the view I'll give it 2 stars. Three words: overcooked, mediocre & OVERPRICED. I came here early evening for Thanksgiving dinner with a group of about 8 of us. For the appetizer we had the big sampler platter of fresh seafood. It was okay, but super expensive for what was given. Maybe 6 pieces of poke, a couple crab legs, etc. for $60+ crazy. For dinner I had the pasta del mar or something with their homemade fettuccine. EVERY piece of seafood was over cooked. The squid was chewy and rubbery, as were the mussels. The shrimp were NOT succulent, and the BAY scallops were extremely disappointing. One of my friends had the fish on special and it was dry, as were the steak and thin pan fried veal. The only item not overdone was the rack of lamb that was ordered rare. All the deserts were meh, get NOT $7 tiny scoop of frozen treats elsewhere. Do not let the ambiance and the thought that this place is supposed to be good FOOL you. Save your money. *I don't get angry about food very often, but the food was such a disappointment that it actually made me sad. Literally sad.

Tracy K.

Exquisite. Palatial. Modern. These are just a few of the words that come to mind when I think back on my dinner experience at the lovely 53. It's obvious the minute you walk in that this building will see many special events in its lifetime. 53 By The Sea skillfully encompasses a fine dining experience with the help of an out-of-this-world view of Diamond Head and Waikiki. The ambience alone will have you picking your jaw up and whispering sweet nothings to your company. I was taught that five key factors maintain a successful restaurant: location, ambience, parking, service and of course, the food. So let's deconstruct each, shall we? The first three factors get an easy "A". The restaurant is tucked in the Kaka'ako area of town where the old John Dominis used to be. Valet service swiftly greet you as you make your way to the massive doors. The entrance is nothing short of pure grandeur. A chandelier points to the massive staircase, beautiful hostesses smile, while dim lighting barely fill the long corridors casting a romantic glow on the marble floors. White walls contrast the wrought-iron floral railings, with pops of red flora catching your gaze. The architect and designer get my thumbs up. The food and service for most of the populace will gain its respect. However, we had a bunch of errors during our experience that I'll elaborate on shortly. I have worked in newly-opened fine dining restaurants like Alan Wong's, so I understand that every new place will have its hiccups. With that said, this place will have the time and opportunity to iron out the wrinkles with the help of these reviews and word of mouth. The food, in my honest opinion, was inconsistent with over and under seasoning in every course. Chef Hiroshi Hayakawa did a wonderful job offering a multitude of proteins to fit every palate. However, the dishes you order may not be what you expect. We enjoyed a bottle of the Justin Cabernet (I'm not usually a red wine fan but I liked this one). I ordered the 53 Seafood Showcase (fit for two) to share with my two girlfriends along with the Escargot-Stuffed Mushrooms for appetizers. The sampler showcase has a cold combo of seafood delights, from crab to tuna to lobster. The lobster shell fell off of the platter right onto the table (and my cell phone-my fault for having it there it there in the first place). The server quickly apologized and left. The two accompanying sauces were nice, and the seafood was tasty but nothing to write home about. The Escargot and Mushrooms were also a surprise for the tastebuds. Instead of using the traditional garlic butter sauce, the Chef uses a spicy chili sauce that I felt overpowered the taste of the meat. Also no great shakes. For our main entree, I had the Sauteed Opah in Seafood Stew. There were mussels, clams, scallops, shrimp, and a small portion of opah in the cioppino-style dish. The food, once again, had a misstep. Two shells (one clam and one mussel) did not open, so I had to chuck it (no-no to eat unopened shellfish). This is unacceptable in fine dining IMO and should have been removed by the chef and replaced with new ones before serving. The taste of the food was okay, also nothing exceptional, but not bad either. Dessert was subpar. I had the 53 tart with vanilla gelato (pineapple was the fruit du jour-I assume they do different ones daily). Not much taste, but the gelato was good. My friend's gelato with the chocolate shell was nice. And my other friend had the Hot Cream Cheese Honey Pie with Gelato where you use the honeycomb to drizzle the honey onto the pasty. It was bland even with the honey. I really wanted this restaurant to be phenomenal. The truth is, it can be. But until the chefs tweek the recipes, its best thing going for it is the mansion. I give it a weak four stars in the hopes that I will come back in a few months with a big, surprised smile on my face.

Marisa A.

One day after work my boyfriend surprised me by taking me there for pupu's/dinner. We didn't have a reservation, so they told us that we could sit outside. The view was breathtaking, despite the weather. The service was OUTSTANDING. That wasn't the problem. I ordered their version of a caprese salad...meh...it was okay. We also ordered the opakapaka. It was okay, nothing to rave about. Personally it was overpriced, you pay for the location and view. I wouldn't go back there, unless someone else was paying. Don't get me wrong, they have transformed this place into a very fine dining establishment. But like I said you pay for what you see. If you don't have a reservation to expect to get a seat. Great for families, groups, couples.

Denby R.

As with most places....the company you are with makes all the difference. I had great company, which made this experience wonderful. So wonderful I almost gave it 5 stars...then I remembered the actual restaurant and tried to step back from the wonderful company I had to really review the place. Imagine driving through Kakaako....passing some sidewalk residences and rolling up to a complementary valet service in front of what looks to be a mansion. You enter the mansion to a HUGE stairway which is roped off and looks highly exclusive (makes me wonder what's up there because I'm nosey) As you walk in....it is hard to imagine that it is the old John Dominis other than the unforgettable view of Alamoana and Diamond Head. The place is so much ..... ummmm... newer? definitely fancier....and wellllll.....different. The menus are huge (like hide behind them when the table next to you is group photoing ... if you are not a photo-bomber that is) with a nice selection of dishes from the land and sea. The wine list wasn't too bad at all....but I love wine. I ended up trying the opah in light tomato broth....which I agree with Rod U, was over seasoned....in fact, I'm not sure there was much opah in it. My BFFs and I decided that we were going to try the escargot and the 53 seafood showcase appetizer for 2. The escargot was stuffed in button mushrooms with a sauce that mainly tasted like shriracha (which I like, but is not for everyone). One of the ladies I was with commented that is was over seasoned and that the escargot was lost in the dish...I agree. She too had the opah and seafood dish, but two of her shells (one mussel and one clam) were not open. Not to be parinoid, but I was always taught that if it is not open it is not ready to be eaten...sad face to have to pick them oout. What was not over-seasoned was the seafood appetizer, which is nice for a seafood purist. I didn't mind it at all.....but the food server dropped the top half of our lobster and a chunk of meat on the table, picked up the head and never returned....so....hmmm...we ate the piece of meat...can't waste lobster. Just thought it was odd for such a fancy place to not apologize or acknowledge the mishap at all. Dessert was ok....I took the waiter's recommendation of the fried empanada things..it was fun to drizzle the honey on it, and a good thing it was there....there was no flavor in the cheese so it tasted like fried dough with honey. One friend ordered the gelato with the chocolate ganache, which she called "magic shell"....and my other friend ordered the tart, which they both said was really nice. So....it was ok. overall, just ok. If I have great company that want to go back, I will....but I probably won't suggest it for my get-togethers. Oh....if you do go the 53 by the sea...and want an adventure....they have really awesome "magic toilets" like the ones I know from overseas...and really fancy houses. the electric bidet in every toilet can be a real shocker if you don't know what to expect...tread with caution ... we (being women) went together and laughed our way out of the bathroom.

Kristen O.

Definitely NOT a good place for groups. Recently my family had our Christmas dinner here and service was terrible!!! We waited over an hour to get our entree. It also didn't help that we had to ask the waiter to provide us with more menus. Were we all supposed to share and did they suddenly run out of them?! Food was ok. Portions could have been bigger. Don't think we'll be returning anytime soon. On the other hand, the place was GORGEOUS. Tons of places for photo ops. But again, NOT recommended for groups.

Amy G.

First off, I'd recommend you not to use Open Table to make a reservation here. I tried to reserve a table for 8, but they won't take anything over 6, and I didn't realize that till a week later, but I later called in to change it to 8 and they quickly made the changes. +1 for that :) Also, when I was trying to make reservations on Open Table, they made it seem like the place would be packed! The only time slot for us was 6:30 however when I arrived, the place was half empty and surprisingly the place never got full so when people keep saying its hard to get a table here, I'm not sure why. I wish I had asked to move up the time when I changed the number of people going b/c it would have been nice to see the sun set. Anyways, I got a little lost getting here as the GPS went in a different street (yes, i had to GPS it b/c i didn't know exactly where it was. don't laugh) As we got in, we were seated right away. First thing I noticed and was a little disappointed in was that a table in front of us wasn't dressed for the occasion. I only cared b/c when I got the call to confirm, they explained to me what their dress code was and they specifically said no jeans, shorts, tank tops, slippers which the table in front of us basically was wearing. shorts, slippers, tshirt...basically, they just finished doing their daily routine and headed to the restaurant On to the food. With the very different ratings on Yelp, I was beginning to get a little scared with the food. -Escargot stuffed mushrooms: loved the spiciness as it was the kick that made the dish very good -buffalo mozzarella: very good dish although i'm not sure it was worth the price we paid. mozzarella was very fresh -calamari salad: super good. Portion was decent enough to give everyone a few bites (a table of 6 adults) i loved the dressing that it came with. -pan seared ahi: my favorite entree. the sauce it came with was just perfect. salty, but not overwhelmingly salty. the capers gave it the nice touch. I didn't expect the dish to be that flavorful as the menu didn't really do it justice when describing the plate -prime rib: it was actually really good. although i didn't care for the steamed veggie as it was just a few pieces. plate was way too plain to be eye catchingly delicious. -rissoto: i enjoyed the mushroom more than the clam as I didn't care too much for the sour-ness. both were very good though and if you have a big appetite, this would be the most filling of all dishes on the menu i think -hot cream cheese honey pie: what a disappointment. sounded so good yet lacked so much flavor. the pie was very bland and i didn't like the pastry at all. didn't taste fresh. the best part was the warm honey drizzled over gelato but than I'd get a honey toast if i wanted that -eggplant cioccalato : this was a dish i wanted to try and be impressed with but wasn't. it was by far way better than the honey pie, but it wasn't anything that blew my mind. you can't taste the eggplant, but that just left chocolate and a piece of crisp. it was good, but it didn't feel magical (thats what i wanted to experience from the dessert here b/c i usually never order desserts when i eat out) overall, the dishes were good. the dessert isn't something i'd recommend getting. service here is great. everything was explained to us very well and they cleared our table in a timely manner. I think if it wasn't for the dessert, I would have rated this a 5 star. I'll be back for another special occasion. place is too pretty.

Xuannie C.

Took my parents here about a month ago for their anniversary. There was four of us. When we pulled up to the mansion we were greeted by the valet guys who directed us where to go. The hostess opened the big giant doors for us and welcome us in. I checked in with the other hostess who knew we were celebrating my parents anniversary but didn't say a thing to them. We got seated and it took sometime before our waiter came over and acknowledged us. He then went over the specials and took our drink orders. I wanted and was excited to order the prix fixe menu but when I asked about it, the waiter said that it is no longer available during that time because they are currently dealing with a new chef who is trying to create a new menu. other things that we chose such as the rib eye was also bot available. it would be nice for them to tell us so ahead of time or have the items taken off the menu instead of rejecting us when we order. Our food slowly came out. Seafood sampler platter wasn't bad but it was indeed overpriced. We got the same similar platter at the 'Ama 'Ama disney restaurant a week before that for $10 cheaper. Anywhoo I got the frutti di mare which was okay, I had better ones elsewhere for about half the price. Dad and boyfriend got the New York strip which also was over priced and again elsewhere was cheaper and tasted better. Mom had e mahi mahi and it was okay to her liking. It was they'd dessert time! A few days prior to coming here I made a reservation and the friendly hostess who did not work that night said that because we were celebrating my parents anniversary, we would be getting a complimentary dessert. Well dessert time came and the waiter did not know we were celebrating an anniversary. He went to ask the hostess to confirm so that we weren't lying or anything me came back almost 45 minutes later with our dessert. After I paid I didn't even get a thank you for coming or anything. Overall this place is beautiful with a nice view, food tastes okay, prices are overpriced, nothing unique on the menu really. You can find similar dishes elsewhere that tastes better and is cheaper. Service can be a bit better, our waiter never smiled once, he must hate his job. There were a few managers I assume that kept walking around and staring at each table from a distance. Creepy.

JC C.

The building looks like a chapel crashed into an Italian waterfront villa. Nothing like it in Hawaii. The food was great. Seafood platter appetizer was awesome and the chicken marsala had a good, deep, complex wine flavor. Noly Paa was playing piano in the restaurant bar. His music provided perfect ambiance to a great evening. It can be a little tricky to find. Head makai on Ward Ave, pass Ala Moana Blvd, make the first left, and it will be on the left.

Peter L.

The Service was Fanatastic !! Happy Hour Prices Amazing !!! And The Food was the Best Part Absolutely Awesome ......

Melissa K.

3 stars for the food, an extra star for the service and atmosphere. What a beautiful restaurant! My boyfriend and I came here for Valentine's Day. Complimentary valet parking and the entire staff is helpful and friendly--there is definitely an emphasis on customer service. Walking into the restaurant with its large wood doors and gorgeous lighting, I felt like I transported to Scarlett O'Hara's southern home. The restaurant feels luxurious and everything looks impeccable and of very good taste. The wine selection is lovely with a wide selection of reds and whites. For appetizers, we ordered papaya salad and the lobster bisque. The papaya salad was ok but not exceptional. It lacked any real distinctive flavor so it was like chewing on semi-crunchy vegetable with no taste. There were sauces but aside from a dash of red chili sauce that was on the plate itself but not on the salad, they had no real taste. It was puzzling. The lobster bisque was phenomenal and we were tempted to cancel our entrees in favor of ordering four more orders of the bisque. It was that delicious. Creamy, extremely flavorful ... the bisque is perfectly made. I had high expectations for the spaghettini di frutti mare (spaghetti noodles with a red sauce and seafood) but while the sauce itself was delicious, the spaghetti noodles weren't quite al dente-- they were slightly hard. I was disappointed with the seafood-- two small clams, 4 mussels, maybe two pieces of squid, a bite of lobster ... We also ordered a fish dish-- the fish was moist and perfectly cooked, and the overall presentation of the dish was nice but I was a bit taken aback by the huge chunk of onion that was part of the dish. From the menu I knew that onion was a part of it, but I didn't expect it to be in the shape of one large chunk. Sliced would probably have been preferred. If you come here, expect a lovely atmosphere, great wine, and wonderful service. The lobster bisque is a must try!

Charlie C.

I went here for my boyfriend's birthday dinner. We were seated at a table facing the waters and Diamond Head. The view was breathtakingly amazing. BF ordered the 7-course, prix fixe dinner. I ordered the escargot stuffed mushrooms as appetizer and the lobster with sweet pea risotto as entree. Delicious! The escargot stuffed mushrooms were my FAVORITE! I literally wanted to gulp the entire plate of sauce. BF's sashimi trio were good, but the seared scallop was my favorite out of all the courses he had that evening. Hmmm...maybe along with his dessert which consisted of a coconut-flavored sherbert and coconut-like gelatin (haupia maybe?) drenched in lilikoi sauce/syrup. So good. The restaurant offered him a complimentary birthday dessert. So, we actually had two desserts: his birthday dessert and the prix fixe dessert. Our server was very attentive, personable, and very helpful. Would love to come back here! Maybe on July 4th or New Years Eve with the fire works! OR Fridays when Waikiki blast the fire works. That would be sight to see over dinner.

Kendrick Y.

On the old John Dominis site, 53 by the Sea arose! haha We took our grandpa here for his 90th birthday a month ago. Killer view of Ala Moana beach looking east. The service was excellent! I had the escargot and lobster linguine, both delicious. The lobster came served in the shell, and you had the option of letting the server scoop out all the meat or you doing it yourself. The only drawback was the wait time on the food- seemed that the kitchen was backed up that night. The bar layout was incredible and the wine selection was amazing. Pricey, so it would be good for special occasions or a date night. Last thing- must check out the restroom. They have those fancy fully automated Toto fixtures. Super awesome!

Melissa L.

Im not sure if lucked out with the service but i was so excited to take my other half here because the pictures of the food and interior looked so beautiful. I was not in anyway dissappointed. The service was on point. our drinks never fell below the half way mark(everyone from the server to management kept refilling), we always had bread and clean plates, and the whole menu was described in full detail from memory. We had the escargot mushrooms, sashimi, rosemary chix, steak. everything cooked to perfection. It was pretty busy considering it was a Tuesday night and there was quite a bit of bit parties. We would go back again.

Rowena S.

I LOVE this restaurant. I have tried dishes from both their lunch and their dinner menu and they are so yummy. The decor of the place is absolutely stunning. From the moment you drive into the complimentary valet parking you will be impressed. The food is excellent and it is a good serving size, not too much, not too little.

Naomi G.

Amazing service and ambiance! Boyfriend and I went for our first year anniversary for lunch and we were treated like royalty! Everything was perfect. We were sat in the back of the restaurant on a huge couch that had us sitting next to each other with a beautiful view of the beach. Our server was very professional and explained the menu perfectly as it was our first time. The lunch menu is quite reasonable as it includes a sampling of appetizers, main entree and dessert. They even gave us a piece of chocolate cake along with our mango sorbet with, "Happy Anniversary!" written on the plate. Perfect for celebrating any special occassion, we will definitely be back!

Don D.

My wife and I went to 53 by the Sea for our anniversary dinner. The experience we had here was awesome. It is located at the old John Dominis location. When you arrive at the front, you wouldnt think it was a restaurant. It looks more like a mansion instead. You open the doors and you see a grand staircase in front of you. The restaurant tables are located behind it overlooking the water. The hostess' are located on the right side of the staircase. We were seated at a table against a window with bench style seating. So my wife and I sat together on one chair. Our table over looked Waikiki and since it was raining, there was also a rainbow out. Our waiter Gregg was awesome. He offered us some water and began to explain the specials and fresh catches of the day. The menu took some time to look over. For appetizer, we ordered the "sampler" for two. It had lobster, abalone, ahi, and a fish wrapped grapefruit. For dinner, my wife ordered the lobster and I had a grilled fish. Im not gonna go into detail with these dishes because they probably wont be on the menu again as it seems like they would change the menu at some point. We did order a bottle of wine and Gregg was always there to refill our glasses when it ran low. He was very attentive and did not rush us in any way. At the end he brought out a dessert plate for us which made the evening feel complete. We will definitely be back again. Not sure when, but for sure. Thanks Gregg for making our anniversary dinner an "enchanting" evening!

Nicole C.

First off, I wanted to rate this restaurant as a 3.5, but forced to choose between 3 stars and 4, I think I'll have to round down. The atmosphere was nice, and obviously, the setting (a seaside mansion) is absolutely gorgeous. I have no complaints about the staff. They were friendly, professional, and prompt. I've read about snobby hostesses in other reviews, but I didn't encounter any high-nose attitude. The seared ahi was a bit small (just five pieces!), but I was surprisingly full by the end of it as it came with a mixture of sauteed vegetables in a sauce that is not quite sweet and sour, as the description on the menu says. I would recommend this dish. The mushroom risotto was a bit too al dente; I think that if they had cooked it a little longer, it would have been perfect. I did enjoy the parmesan wafer they had on the side, though. The dessert was SUCH a disappointment. I think of dessert as the thing that makes me remember the meal fondly or disappointingly. They failed. We had the hot cream cheese honey pie and the chocolate fried eggplant. The former was basically an empanada of bland cream cheese with a side of honey. It was utterly tasteless. The latter tasted like chocolate pudding over something fried. This restaurant reallllly needs to work on their desserts. Overall, I thought that this restaurant was okay. I've definitely had better, especially for the price, but I would consider coming back again if they changed their dessert options. Their food, while good, is not much more than that; it simply lacked that wow factor that I reserve for 4s and 5s.

Cheryl S.

53 by the Sea isn't your ordinary fine dining restaurant. It is more than just a restaurant but a whole romantic experience. This whole romantic experience starts as you pull into the driveway of this dreamy chateau. You feel like you are somewhere other than Honolulu, Hawaii. As you drive to drop off your car you are ever so greeted by the valet. These guys are great they are extremely friendly and happy to serve you. Then as they open the grand doors into this wonderful wonderland you see the grand stairwell which is like something from a villa. You feel even Princess like.. as it is something like from a fairytale. Once you get over the awe and OOhhh's of the fine staircase you are then greeted by the hostess. Where they whimsically seat you. (NOTE: Friday nights should be ideal as Waikiki has their Friday night fireworks show which I believe you can see from any seat in the restaurant. Please check to see what time they start as I believe the show times will vary due to the sunset and season) Once seated we met our server who would take us through this lovely evening experience. He was an older local gentleman who seemed to have worked his whole life in fine dining and was super knowledgeable. They had a very nice table setting and nice utensils. I had done my research and read the reviews and had my mind set on what I wanted to eat. First, they brought this crispy toasted flat bread like toast that was served with balsamic vinegar and oil. I am not sure of the exact name of this bread thing is called but all you need to know that is it was super good and I wanted more. For appetizers we had to get the 53 Seafood Showcase. This cocktail platter was divine. It was filled with just the right amounts of seafood that is sure to please everyone's desires. Lobster, oysters, fresh sashimi's and scallops. Is your mouth watering yet? Well on to the main course... The main course I decided on getting was the By the Sea Fresh Catch which was Moi. It was prepared ever so perfectly. It was crispy and moist and the flavor was just heavenly. My boyfriend got the Pan Seared Hawaiian Mahi Mahi with Lemon Butter and Marinara Sauce. The presentation for his main meal was beautiful as it had a slice of island papaya, a slice of Haaula Tomato, with the bacon wrapped asparagus on top. The lemon butter sauce was extraordinary. We also ordered two sides: the creamy mashed potatoes and the garlic broccolini with olive oil and red chili. That was the perfect combination. During our meal they had live entertainment. There was this guy (sorry I was unable to get his name) he was singing and playing the ukulele. He was remarkable!!!! I can only describe him as looking like a Clay Aiken with a ukulele. He was energetic and could play things from contemporary Hawaiian music to the top 10 on the current music charts and which shocked me he even did an Italian opera like song. Now, how is that for impressive. He was walking around serenading patrons and when he came to our table I was like so overcome with excitement. I wanted to test his skill and with his breathtaking voice I asked for him to belt some ADELE and without hesitation he was like sure..even he seemed excited to please... His version of Adele was quite honestly incredible!! I wished I recorded it. Oh wells, I must dine there again soon.... So, we were stuffed by the end of the meal and decided on something light so we both ordered the vanilla gelato and guava sorbet which was the perfect end to a really romantic evening. Some interesting notes: * they iron the table clothes * they only have 4 types of beer * they have those interesting toilets (yes everyone has been yelping about it and yes it adds to your experience there. It's a must try) * They have a bar with a bar menu * very extensive wine list * signature cocktails

Kimo S.

I really feel this place has a lot going for it and if they strive to be "better than..." they will have an amazing following. We came here a week after their grand opening and were amazed by the design and atmosphere when we first entered those large front doors. The wine list was fantastic, though we brought our own bottle, I would love to spend more time picking through their selection next time. I opted for the prix fixe menu so I could sample a little bit of everything. This was a big plus for me and the wife as we sampled more dishes than we possibly could have with traditional choices. I would highly recommend the prix fixe as it was a great value and we absolutely loved to see the chef showcase his talents through the various dishes. My one gripe/issue is that the appetizer prices are a bit outrageous given that they all start at $20+. Personally, I would suggest ordering an entree and sharing it (if you're dining with a partner) instead and you'll probably get a better value that way. Hopefully they readjust their appetizer pricing because I always feel it is a bit silly when an appetizer costs more than some entrees.

Lindsay C.

Yum! Ate dinner here on a Saturday night - made a reservation but it was fairly quiet so we may not have needed one. The food was delicious: flavorful, creative, and nicely presented with live music (piano) in the dining room. My boyfriend got wagyu steak and I got lobster. Both were delicious. The staff was super attentive and took the time to check-in and explain everything. Definitely worth a try!

Ryan K.

Built upon the famous John Dominis site, 53 By the Sea is the latest in fine dining. So you say what's the meaning of the name? The address is 53 Ahui Street. Chef Hayasaka was transferred from their famous italian restaurant in roppongi, japan. We had the Homemade fettuccine with tomato sauce, oishi! We also had the 16oz ribeye steak which was cooked to perfection. You have your choice of sauce with the steak: cabernet wine reduction, marsala wine and shallot, crispy sage and garlic, salt and lemon. I had the last choice of spinach and bleu cheese, Yummy! We started however with the 53 by the sea seafood platter which was a cocktail of lobster, scallop, mussel (the oysters where out) maguro, and kampachi. We also tried the Prosciutto and Pecorino cheese platter. This is perfect for a wine pairing! To finish our meal we took our drinks to the beautiful bar they've built next to a piano and stage. A guitarist was play a combo of jazz tunes and local hawaiian music. We decided to order desserts, the tiramisu and the chocolate eggplant. The tiramisu was awesome but the choco eggplant was just interesting. 53 will open for lunch soon. They have the facilities to have wedding parties and gatherings in several private rooms. A must try!

Tim L.

This is a beautiful place. The ambiance, service, and view from the restaurant were all great. The only thing I did not care for was the food. Many of dishes were bland or "safe". Though I would definitely come back for the strawberry short cake. If I could, I would give 3.5 stars.

John C.

Read the reviews and gave it try for our anniversary. Only three weeks operating and this place is TOPs on my list now and the "must dine at " suggestion to my friends. We began the evening with a seafood sampler appetizer consisting of half a lobster, two oysters on the half, ahi and hamachi sahimi and scallops. Excellent! This was followed by a very nice lobster bisque that we split. . My wife's entre was the snapper which came on a bed of steamed fresh veggies. For myself I ordered 16 oz rib eye which was cooked perfectly. I ordered it with the garlic sage suggested by Judy our server and that was nice addition. The wine list is done very well with prices starting at $30 plus for a bottle. My only small complaint would be the Tanq 10 martini I ordered. I felt that the pour could have been a little more generous. Dessert was a trio of apple pie, a fresh fruit cold soup sorbet and tiramisu. At $15 this was the perfect way to end a special dinner. Ambiance was perfect for a romantic dinner. My request for a window seat was granted and we were seated side-by-side on a nice high backed bench. The view of Kewalo, Ala Moana and Waikiki at sunset was simply beautiful. One note though, be sure to dine early before sunset for the best views. Once it got dark the reflection on the window made it hard to enjoy the panorama. 53's wait staff were attentive, polite and accommodating. Our server Judy was THE best. If she reads this review I really want to thank her for making our anniversary dinner one of the most memorable yet! We are definitely coming back!

Tina T.

Just came back from a birthday dinner celebration with 3 friends. The restaurant was beautifully designed, immaculate table settings, ocean view, attentive waiter service, I was impressed. The menu was classic Italian, nothing innovative, but the ingredients were either locally sourced, or flown fresh from other parts of the world. We ordered: 1. The seafood platter - super fresh seafood (lobster, alaskan crabs, poke, seared scallops) Big thumbs up 2. Escargot stuffed mushrooms - very tasty, the sauce was slightly spicy. I'll come back for that. 3. Tasting menu which included all their signature dishes (trio of the chilled seafood, mushroom soup, frutti di mare spaghetti, arugula salad, seared mahi mahi, dessert) 4. Frutti di mare spaghetti for me - well prepared, the seafood included scallops, octopus which was slightly over cooked, prawns, mussels, and giant clams. The spicy tomato sauce was delicious and rich. The pasta was just a tad bit overcooked but overall a good dish. 5. Ribeye with sage and garlic - excellent beef. Very tasty. 6. Seared sweet and sour ahi - generous portions of ahi. I wouldn't have considered it sweet and sour, but the sauce with capers was delicious. Overall a successful dish. The best thing of all was that since we were celebrating 3 birthdays this dinner the restaurant actually arranged all of us to have a beautifully prepared birthday dessert sampler with tiramisu, lai chee sorbet with passion fruit soup, and fruit. A very thoughtful addition to a great evening. Scott, our waiter was very professional, attentive, immaculate service. I will definitely be back. This place is great for any celebrations, a nice romantic dinner, it's a great fine dining experience.

Brad C.

Very nice place. Good service. Great food. Nice views of kewalos, waikiki, diamond head.

Pam C.

Unfortunately, to get to 53 by the Sea, one must travel past dozens of homeless people's tents and shopping carts. It's hard to imagine that such a beautiful building could exist in this neighborhood. But, there it is, like a huge dazzling jewel! You can go to their website and see for yourself the unique features of this space. Here are our observations: 1. One of the servers loudly interrupted our conversation, starting with, "Hi, you guys!" (to my host and me, two professional women of a certain age). 2. There were too many servers. It seemed that each course was delivered by someone we hadn't seen before. This prevented the forming of a cozy relationship with one faithful server. 3. The serving dishes were preposterously large and heavy, especially when one contained nothing but a single scallop in sauce. The plates and bowls were shaped in such a way that it was nearly impossible to rests one's silverware across the edge. The silverware was overly-heavy and oddly-weighted, so the dishes, plates, and silverware didn't get along well together. 4. The website states a dress code, but very few patrons followed it. If you can't enforce a dress code, don't have one! 5. We sat down at 5:00. We left at 8:30. Everything seemed to take too long. 6. Beautiful view of the ocean and surfers!

Kevin H.

This is an update to my previous review. My review has now changed from 4 stars to 2 stars! As of January 2013, the previous chef has since moved back to Japan, and the change in quality of the food was obvious. For example, the escargot used to be marvelous...but now, it's less than mediocre. I ordered the veal chop for entree. First of all, it was TINY. Secondly, I had asked them to cook it medium rare, and it came out well-done. It tasted awful and so they cooked me another veal chop. The second time it came back slightly less well-done. C'mon man!!! If I wanted a bad steak, I would have gone to Sizzlers. In stark comparison, I had the veal chop from Le Bistro. Now, that was a wonderful meal. Le Bistro's veal chop was hearty and perfectly cooked. I'm not sure if I coming back here again.. or maybe I'll just avoid the meat.

Tom C.

We celebrated my partner's birthday this past Monday and had a fabulous evening! This new establishment shines like a new copper penny! It was funny because we had dined here when it was Jon Dominis and had a HORRIBLE meal with two close friends! 53 By the Sea changed the bad taste we had of an establishment in this location. Besides, this place has a totally a different vibe than the former. With not a hint of Hawaiiana, you'd think you were somewhere in the Mediterranean. The food was good, not fabulous, but good...the style was a bit hard to describe...Japanese influenced Italian with French portions...sorta...kinda...huh? LOL For example, I had the Shrimp Scampi for my entree. It was done smothered in a pesto sauce. I LOVE pesto! But that's all you tasted! EVERYTHING was mixed with that glorious sauce BUT it made the shrimp unrecognizable. It could have been chicken for all I knew! I would have preferred the shrimp unadorned on top. The rack of lamb was good but a bit overdone for a medium rare. The Calamari salad and the ahi salad were good. Very simple...nalo greens with either fried calamari or ahi sashimi. Service was awesome! Friendly, helpful, efficient and not overbearing. A shot of frangelico was accidentally knocked over and was comped when we decided not to replace it. All in all a class establishment! A BIG improvement over Jon Domimis! Welcome to the Hawaii culinary dining scene! You guys fit well! I can only imagine how much better you'll be in the near future!

Samuel P.

1 star for the food. +1 star for the view. Food was extremely mediocre even inept. Went there for lunch with my family just now, and boy, was I disappointed. Our appetizer was pretty bad. It consisted of slices of bland egg/mushroom... thing, a spoonful of a tuna salad, and a piece of overtly sour bruschetta. All very bad and disappointing. Then we all got our food. My family ordered probably about half the menu. I tried all of them and i would say that none of them were good. Pasta and risotto were both undercooked, the seasoning was all bland except for the pasta with the sausage which was to salty that my uncle ended up pouring water over it to make it edible. I personally had the Risotto with mussel and clam and it tasted like just like straight-up plain risotto. Which was so disappointing because I could tell that the ingredients they used were of high quality. Our dessert was a scoop of cookies and cream ice cream served on a plate with a really sour raspberry syrup drawn on in a shape of an apple. The display looked childish and amateur. I really wish I liked the food better because the view is so nice but alas, it wasn't meant to be. Maybe their drinks are better than their food.

Eric W.

We walked in on a weeknight with no reservation, no fancy dress up e.g. my 7 year old was still wearing her YMCA t-shirt and in shorts. First Impressions is WOW what a nice and fancy place. Maître d 'JR' was very warm and inviting and took us to one of the nicest table in the dining room. Becky was our server and she was polite and happy to serve. We ordered the lobster roll for our daughter; side asparagus and mushrooms, wifey enjoyed her mahi mahi while I enjoy the lamb chop. Yes, it's pricey however the ambiance and high quality ingredients made it worthwhile. We were even told the Exec. Chef Ho was off on Tuesday nights however the food was well prepared and plated for presentation. Little things mean a lot- they even brought over a 'Happy Anniversary" wedding cake slice with freshest berries. Wifey also totally enjoyed the coconut crème brûlée which was served literally in a young coconut. The server was surprised that I actually spooned out the coconut meat and ate most of it. My daughter totally enjoyed her scoops of lycee, raspberry and mango gelato. Good to see this place took over the original John Dominis. About 15 years ago, I found JD to be pricey and totally not worth it.

Brent S.

Great place for a date. Very romantic, right on the water. The food is reasonably priced for the atmosphere. We had: 53 Seafood Showcase: Nice mix of seafood - lobster, oysters, sashimi, scallops Escargot Stuffed Mushrooms: pretty good Prosciutto & Pecorino Cheese: fine Shrimp Scampi: nice size shrimp and the pesto sauce was good Grilled Veal Chop: flavorful All the dishes were good. Not over the top great. But definitely worth the price. Would go back.

Michael N.

This was our first time visiting 53 by the Sea. We have been to most of the fine dining locations in Honolulu. 53 by the Sea was outstanding. We had a wonderful time, the scenery is beautiful, and the food was fantastic. Dining with the evening skyline of Honolulu is a wonderful experience. The staff were very friendly and accommodating to our needs - my wife is handicapped. We started out with the 53 Seafood Showcase and we loved it. The lobster and scallops were perfect and the sashimi melted in your mouth. The Heart of Romaine salad came next. The waitress rolled up a cart next to our table and prepared the baby romaine hearts in front of us. Presentation was nicely done and the salad, and dressing, was delightful. For dinner, my wife had the Grilled Veal Chop and I had the Grilled Black Angus Filet Mignon with the Cabernet wine reduction. Both were excellent and went really well with the Collo Creek Cabernet. We had after-dinner drinks, something with raspberry - it was an excellent finish to a wonderful meal and experience. Oh, and did I mention the life music! It was WONDERFUL having "Frank Sinatra" singing in the background. So, you have incredible views, excellent cuisine, outstanding waitstaff, wonderful music, fine dining atmosphere, oh yes, and my wife wouldn't let me forget to tell you about the wonderful bidet's in the bathroom. We definitely enjoyed ourselves and plan to return.

Jenet Y.

Must try the lasagna! Very yummers! Great view and friendly staff... They could lose the white gloves though. :/.

Stan L.

This place is really nice. Fresh clean and elegant. The staff and atmosphere is great. The day we had lunch there were only a few people eating. Very quiet, peaceful and enjoyable. Someone was having a wedding here later. How lucky! The view is wonderful and the staff really know what they are doing. The food was pretty good. Might not have been the best tasting food at this price, but I will let that slide.

Brenden H.

If as you approach this place you begin to get the idea that something grand is lurking behind the somewhat cheesy facade, you are right on the money. Beautiful, spacious entryway with 30 foot ceiling and crystal chandeliers, sweeping double marble staircase, wait a second, we've been transported to a Mediterranean Villa. Magnificent views looking east towards Diamond Head and the light of Waikiki thru 10 foot high plate glass windows, I haven't even mentioned FOOD. OK on to that stuff: the food was also spectacular. We started off with the mixed seafood appetizer for two, half a Maine lobster, grilled sea scallops, chunks of #1 ahi, kampachi sashimi, two Fanny Bay oysters on the halfshell, served cold on a bed of edible seaweed, with a delicious miso and traditional cocktail sauces on the side. Delicious. Next we did the mushroom risotto, which had porcini, white, and shiitake and a rich and earthy sauce. Bread served on a platter with three choices, all delicious & freshly baked. OK, time for beef, went with waiter recommendation of a filet mignon, rare, with the spinach/blue cheese sauce. Melt in your mouth beefy goodness. Finished it off with a mango sorbet. All of this with a backdrop of live piano jazz. Just a perfectly spectacular, unique dining experience. There is nothing like this in the state. This is my new favorite high end restaurant in HNL, and Mavro, A. Wong, Roy's, Bali, Hoku's all have something to strive for. We will be back, I am now (ate there last night).

Brooke N.

If you are traditionalist...this is not the old John Dominis. There is definitely a new look... a Italian/Mediterranean Villa...quite impressive. So to be fair...there were both Pros and Cons...I'll start with the cons first. CONS: I have to say I was not impressed by the service or the food. It is obvious this restaurant caters to the Japanese and the tourists...although they need to realize the locals are the ones that will come back for repeat business. The hostess took quite a while to look up my reservation and decide to seat me at the farthest end of the restaurant. From the get go I did not feel like a valued patron. After that it kind of went down hill...I had a waiter that thought because we were local he needed to cater to this. At a fine dining restaurant I don't expect to get "eh' so what you guys like for dinnah? What, what you like more time fo look at da menu?" Not my idea of a fine dining experience. It sounds like dropping items in the restaurant is quite common. PROS: the Back waiter and the guy who served the water and the bread were EXCELLENT! The food was okay...nothing very impressive. I had the Opakapaka, it was basically steamed on a smear of Okinawan mashed potatoes and a piece of bok choy. Everything was under seasoned actually quite bland. The architecture of the restaurant is great...glass everywhere so that equals....an more than AWESOME view! Not only did we see the surfers in Kewalo Basin but also a great view of the fireworks from the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Maybe I didn't order the right thing...since I knew the Chef had an Italian background yet I didn't feel like eating fettuccine noodles with my white blouse. It's not that I wouldn't go back, I guess I'd give it a second chance. I will chalk it up to the restaurant is new and they have some kinks to work out...I hope!

Jennie B.

Beautiful, romantic restaurant, service is great, I ordered pasta with lobster, taste was good and delicate, but the lobster was so chewy it was almost inedible. My husband,the b-day boy was smart enough to order the Mahi dish, ver small portion but good. They gave him a beautiful dessert, enough for both of us. Great service Check out the restrooms it is very modern, the whole place is amazing, it looks like one of those mansions owned by one of the housewives of Beverley Hills. The view is expectacular.

Valerie M.

Relaxing piano music by Ginny Tiu in the lounge. Classy venue reminiscent of Black Orchid, Canlis, Nick's Fishmarket days. We ordered drinks and had appetizers in the lounge. The food was excellent and service was great. The lounge caters to patrons ages 35 and up. Definitely not for the college aged set on a budget. Three glasses of wine and a gin martini cost upwards of $40 w/o tip.

Lily D.

Rodney C.

With mixed reviews, we decided to experience this restaurant. The restaurant still needs to work on its efforts in serving parties of 6 or more. The spot and appearance we good. We got there early to take photos for our annual family holiday meal. We started dinner fine but as the evening progressed the service declined. DO NOT EXPECT to get good service. We observed dishes going out to other tables. We ordered appetizers early to get started. Those with soups were at a leisurely pace, but for the main entre' is was terrible. As it took longer to get our meals, the wait staff completely ingnored efforts to appease the group. The staff just went around our party and concentrated on other patrons. At one point, they did not even refill our glasses of water. They did not even keep us appraised of the status of our meal. We needed to ask for the status. Taste of the food did not make up for the lack of service. There was nothing exceptional about what we recieved. The group did try several of the "so-called' signatured dishes. We ordered the sea food appetizer, Opakapaka, steak, Lobster fetticini, etc. Management did apologize, but for being in business this long, they should have this process ironed out so that this did not occur. Excuses provided to us were just lies: It will be out soon. It will be out in 1 minute. They are platting it now. I just became aware of the situation now. Even when the meal finally came out, it took 15 minutes for all of the entree's to be served. We definitely will not return and will let our friends know.

David L.

Going to new restaurants just after opening is always hit and miss in my experience. Depending on the experience of your serving staff, there are always opportunity for more training. Luckily, at 53 By The Sea, though they could use a little polishing, the service was great! One side of the restaurant is all glass giving almost all tables a view towards Waikiki. There is piano in the bar area to give some ambiance. The night I was there, 3 pianist rotated through. Classical mostly, but I would have enjoyed something a bit more lively. Get the 53 Seafood showcase, an appetizer sized for 2. I like it mostly, the poke not as much. The Grilled Opakapaka with Okinawan Sweet Potato Puree was good. The Clam Risotto with Lemon was also good. Overall, the food was good, but I thought it needed some 'tinkering'. The tastes overall was on the light side. Don't get me wrong, I thought it was good, but needed a little something more. I think the taste may refine a little as the kitchen gets more seasoned. I'm planning on going back soon again to try some other plates! Definitely a must go. Make reservations, they were booked for 2 weeks at the opening.

Ed C.

It's much more upscale than I'm used to, but I'm glad I had a chance to have a meal here. Approaching the restaurant via the wharf isn't visually appealing, but once you're in, the restaurant is beautiful. The filet was delicious and the mango sorbet was amazing. The view from the restaurant was fantastic.

Sage S.

Had lunch here, so maybe i should try the dinner before writing a review. Mixed feelings about this place. Its beautiful. Nice views. The apps that come with lunch were pretty good, but nothing amazing. Just ok. I had the shrimp pesto pasta which was incredible. Delicious. I also tried the sausage pasta, which was also very good. But the dessert was awful. A throw away. Super dry cake thing. Service was excellent.

Chace S.

Delicious, Elegant and Impeccable Service. From the Architecture to Customer Service to Delicacies; you will not be let down. You arrive at the grand entrance as if you were Royalty, the valet assist you from departure of your vehicle to the Grand Doors. As you enter you partake in the Grand Staircase and beautiful view. As we checked in we were told to wait a few minutes while a table was being prepared (the best seat in the house they said) and surely it was, Front and Center to the spectacular view, well worth the wait. Our Server (Dirk) was great and made us feel comfortable. He answered all our questions about the menu to the "T". When it comes to the food and their plating they deserve 10 Stars. The food was delicious, delectable, mouthwatering, tasty. This 3-course menu was the best by-far. Mothers Day that will surely not be forgotten. It was a surprise to them and they enjoyed the surprise.

Bryan P.

This place was great! Top of the line service, delicious food, elegant display. Will definitely return!

Miki H.

Mari K.

Tricia D.

Kimmy C.

Robin A.

Jerry S.

Deanna P.

Rob T.

Tom M.

Love K.

Robin S.

Jay F.

Jerry L.

Tori K.

Ashley C.

Ann W.

Michael Y.

David M.

Brent K.

Marie B.

Andy T.

Al M.

Chase A.

Jack E.

Chris W.

Angela H.

The food was amazing. The ambiance was as well. We went for our anniversary, and I called and asked them for the best seat in the house. It looks like they pushed tables aside and placed us, literally, in the best seat in the house with a love seat facing Diamond Head and Waikiki. I couldn't have been more happy with our table, the ambiance and food. The drinks however, were horrible. I write this review hoping that the manager can address this issue with whatever bartender was working on September 10th, 2015. My husband does not drink, and wanted to enjoy a few cocktails with me. I drink often, so I was excited. My first drink was phenominal, it was a rose champagne drink, and it was delicious. My husband ordered a specialty cocktail, it had the name pink in it, and he didn't care for it. So they take away that drink, and my husband orders a Sea Blue. He takes and sip, and it was horrible. He had me try (my family has owned a restaurant/bar/grill all of my life, so I can tell if a cocktail is amazing or if it is poorly made). The Sea Blue tasted like gasoline. We would joke that if we held up a lighter, that we would be able to breathe fire. He passed that drink on to me, and for the $12, I forced myself to finish it. Dinner and Dessert came out, both fantastic. I decided to try another drink on their menu, their version of a bloody mary. HORRIBLE. WAY TOO MUCH VODKA, again, I had to force myself to finish it as my husband was loosing patience with the whole situation because of the poor drink quality. My husband finally gave up and ordered a beer so he wouldn't be disappointed yet again. All in all, we loved the food, the service, the ambiance, and had the bar served properly made cocktails, we would have given this place five stars. I will go back, and I do recommend this place to others. I write this review simply for the managers so they can address the one issue with whomever was pouring drinks that one night. Please don't let this stop you from going, the whole evening was definitely a treat!

Asia B.

I went here for a dinner last year, and it was probably the best dining experience I've ever had. This place is gorgeous. The stairs, the view, the decor, everything! You would never think that a place so beautiful would be in a somewhat sketchy area (lol). But that doesn't stop me from going there, and it definitely shouldn't stop ANYONE. I'm not 21, so I can't have alcohol, but a great non-alcoholic drink to try is the flower bouquet. It's probably the most girly drink I'll ever order in my lifetime, but it's so good that sometimes I think about it even a year after having it. We had the escargot stuffed mushrooms, 53 Fresh Catch, and the Rib Eye. All were amazing. Dessert was great too--we ordered the kona coffee gelato(?) and the strawberry short cake, and we got a free chocolate soufflé! I would totally come back here for another fancy dinner. 10/10

Tanya E.

I went for lunch with my cousin for the first time. The first thing you see is a beautiful estate. Then you enter and you're immediately charmed by the view and then by the decor. Did I mention the VEIW! All lunch items include an amuse bouche and dessert. The amuse bouche was light and refreshing. As was my drink. Our server Kristie suggested the Heat Wave, nice citrus flavors with just the right amount of heat. For our entrees we choose to share the lobster sandwich with side salad and the chicken with creamy mushroom risotto and veg. Both plates were delicious. The sandwich had clean flavors, very good crab meat. The chicken was very well cooked and not too rich. Dessert was a mix plate, coconut gelato, strawberry short cake, blueberry cheesecake, and fresh fruit. My fav was the coconut gelato. Service was nicely paced and our server Kristie was awesome. I'll definitely be back.

Anna K.

53 by the sea is BEAUTIFUL. It's so beautiful that I told my bf if we ever won a billion dollars our future house will look just like the restaurant. Sorry to my bf since I'm 100% sure if we won a billion dollars he wouldn't want to blow it up on a house.. especially one that was an exact replica of the restaurant. AHAHAHAHA, oh my poor bf. Anyways, I went there for lunch with my bf's family and it was simply ok. I was a little underwhelmed since the place looked so amazing, I thought the food would match. Sadly it didn't. For lunch they have a 3 course set. The appetizer was probably the best thing served. There's 5 abuse bouche, a frittata, humus, quiche, tako poke, and a last item that I can't remember. For the main course I chose the fruiti de mari. The dish was bland but really enjoyed the fact that there was a lot of seafood in the dish. My bf had the ribeye baguette sandwich. He wasn't impressed either. The dessert was a brownie with a scoop of coconut ice cream. The brownie was slightly dry. Luckily there was ice cream so it saved the dish. Overall, 53 by the sea is a place I'll pass on if I wanted to eat, especially for lunch. I wouldn't mind going there for drinks and chilling outside. I mean, hello you get a view of Diamond Head and the beautiful waters. Basically, it's a view that makes you want to scream "lucky we live Hawaii!!!!".

Erica A.

53 By the Sea is as stunning. The interior is absolutely gorgeous, elegant and upscale- yet the price is surprisingly affordable. They even offered valet parking which was much appreciated. The staff was so friendly and accommodating, and made excellent recommendations. The dishes were full of fresh, vibrant flavours, a refreshing blend of local flavours with European cuisine. I just went for a quiet lunch with a good friend, but even then the smallest details were well cared for, the portions were great, and everything was delicious. I would love to go again if I ever had the occasion.

Jo C.

I went to a girlfriends Birthday Dinner and it was Amazing. We had a private room upstairs to the right hand side and the view was just gorgeous facing diamond head. Very elegant and charming room they even custom printed out our menu we had 4 courses and dessert. The service was excellent from the minute the valet got our cars. The bread basket they served was warm and tasty. We had the Lobster Roll, King Crab Cocktail, House salad, Mushroom Risotto and Surf and Turf with Ono. Everything on the menu was really good and I really have nothing bad to say. The servers allowed our party to have privacy but were very prompt with our needs and were refilling waters and taking drink orders throughout the night. I would definitely come here again for the view, food and service. I would recommend this place. I think the ONLY downfall but its not the fault of the restaurant is all the homeless tents that you will pass on your way here, I'm hoping they will clean up the area soon, other than that....Great experience and restaurant.

LaRaina W.

Today to celebrate my Grandma's 87th birthday we decided to dress up and get a little fancy. I made reservations through the Yelp app just in case but it wasn't very busy once we arrived (a little late but the hostess was very nice lol). The ambiance is elegant and very historic, which I adore and is much needed in the land of slippas and board shorts. Our server was polite and very knowledgeable to answer all of my parties repeated questions and my particular wine preferences. Overall it was beautiful 3 hour dinner and my Grandma enjoyed her birthday, though she can't remember it, we have the delightful photos to remind her.

Lina C.

Gorgeous restaurant. Perfect for special occasion. You will be impressed with the grand staircase upon entering the beautiful restaurant. Then you will be in love with the panoramic view of Waikiki, Diamond Head, and the ocean. Impeccable and friendly service. Warm complimentary bread with lilikoi (passion fruit) butter. The escargot stuffed mushrooms were great to start though I would've liked them hotter in temperature as they were lukewarm. The shrimp and king crab entree Surf & Surf was decent, but the shrimps were a bit tough and crab salty. The filet mignon came lukewarm, but the meat is tender. The tasting menu is a good bargain for $100 that let's you try a variety of house specialities. Highly recommend the lobster bisque with succulent lobster pieces and the seared scallop. Love the plantation iced tea. Overall, a definite treat when in Hawaii. It's worth the drive from Waikiki and has a view of the Friday night fireworks.

Mark B.

Attended a business dinner here and throughly enjoyed the experience. Wonderful ambiance and a delightful staff made this a memorable experience. The view was a added plus.

Lei C.

Food was ok but not that great. View is stunning, valet parking was free, restroom is awesome at the women's side. It took 3 hours for us to finish the course, long wait for the food. Service was ok but not top notch! I wasn't impress much on the food but maybe bec I've ate from a lot of variety of fine dining restaurants and I'm very particular with the food bec I rate quality vs quantity and the price was ok as well for us. It could be expensive for others.

Shane V.

The ambiance of the restaurant is quite amazing with its breathtaking views of the ocean looking toward the iconic Diamond Head. We got a private room upstairs for our large party. The wait staff & was superb. They were consistently attentive without being overbearing or distracting. They also were very knowledgeable about the menu & when asked specific questions about a particular cherry in a drink our server (Matt) spoke about it at length, impressing our party. He went the extra mile by bringing an empty bottle of the cherry to show us what it was. 5 stars for service!! Apps: -seafood carpaccio: a variety of good quality fish served on a platter. Tasted ok. -escargot stuffed mushrooms: delicious! A must have! Savory without being salty & perfectly cooked. -of course don't forget about the house bread with lilikoi butter Soups: -clam chowder: surprisingly healthy portions of clams. Thin, but great tasting. -lobster bisque: (not tasted) smaller portion size, not the usual orange hue, friend said it was "good." -house salad: (not tasted) generous portion. Entrees: -scallops: perfectly seasoned, beautiful presentation, small portion size (as to be expected), served with asparagus. -ribeye: large 12oz cooked exactly as ordered, seasoning left something to be desired. It wasn't bland, but could have been better. Served with a nice balance of blanched broccolini & a tablespoon of mashed potatoes. -lamb chops: (not tasted) large portions plated very nicely, friend said "it's just okay" -surf & surf: seemed to be the evenings winner, generous portions, wonderful presentation & "tasted delicious" Dessert: -tiramisu: was the group favorite. Presented in a coconut shell it was light & fluffy & not overtly sweet. Quite the novelty! -chocolate cake: restaurant standard, but still very good. Flourless & dense covered in raspberries served with vanilla bean ice cream. There were several other food items throughout the evening but were mostly unremarkable. These included: basil pesto scampi (not tasted, generous portion size), catch of the day (monchong, traditionally prepared), green tea mousse cake (would not recommend), & banana bread pudding.

Savannah D.

I loved 53 by the sea! We booked ahead of time and were greater at the door and still asked what kind of table we wanted. The setting was really nice to take pictures in and I think it would be really fun to go on a girls date and take a lot of photos. The apps were all pretty good. I loved the oysters escargot and foie gras especially. The main dishes we had were so-so to be honest. Also no one took our order for 30 minutes which was a drag so that is why I couldn't give 5 stars. Next time I will save room for dessert!

Steve S.

Went to a penfolds wine dinner featuring Dlynn Proctor a brand ambassador on June 8th. Service impeccable, food just nirvana. The wines alone pay for the 125 price tag.

Lian B.

I've came here for my birthday and I must say this is an amazing place. The food was good we had the filet mignon with whole lobster, lobster bisque, lamb pasta, escargot stuffed mushrooms, and coconut cremè brûlée. The food was very savory was very good. Staff waited on us and came to us so many times. Our drinking glasses were always full and so were our bellies when we left. The view is quiet beautiful because you see the diamond head and beach. The bathrooms were so nice with its own bottom cleansing spray. I would recommend anyone to come here.

Kristine R.

I made reservations for a Sunday night right before sunset and was surprised that they weren't that busy. The hostess seated us outside which I was really happy about. There aren't very many tables outside so it was really private out there. The view was so beautiful which made our dinner date 10x better! We ordered the tasting menu and every course was amazing and I cleaned every plate off. (well, almost) Everything was prepared to perfection. They brought out the food pretty fast and the waitress was great. The 5 course meal was $100 per person. They even gave us complimentary strawberry shortcake at the end which was so delicious! We don't really drink but my husband had a couple of beers and I had a virgin strawberry lemonade. At the end of the night including tip, we ended up paying $300. Kind of pricey but worth it. The food: 1st course - Sashimi Trio (wasabi tobiko, ikura, chive oil) -- One of my favorite courses! 2nd course- Heart of Palm & Watercress Salad (poached shrimp, orange & grapefruit supreme, citrus vinaigrette) -- Not really a big fan of heart of palm but not bad. 3rd course - Seared Diver Scallop (tomato, truffle, sherry honey gastrique) -- The scallop was the bomb!! I had to order seconds 4th course - Fresh Catch (sunburst squash, baby zucchini, brown butter reduction) - I forgot what type of fish it was but this was definitely my favorite course. 5th course - Petite Filet Mignon (with asparagus, king trumpet mushroom, red wine reduction) This filet mignon was a good size and I couldn't even finish it. My husband ended up eating the rest of mine. 6th course - Coconut Panna Cotta (lilikoi, mango) -- SO YUMMY!!! Valet parking is complimentary. Everything about this place was perfect. :)

Pam M.

I've dined here several times but most recently, last night for a business dinner. You're greeted by a beautiful, large staircase (which leads to the private dining area upstairs). We proceeded to the bar to enjoy cocktails before dinner. My favorite cocktail is their 53 Bellini, which was renamed to Peach Royale. Our group of 13 were seated but it took about 30 minutes to receive dining menus. After taking our orders, we didn't receive bread, until we requested it. The bread arrived, nice & warm, and their tropical flavored butter complimented the bread perfectly. For appetizers, my coworkers ordered the fresh oysters (6 on the half shell) which they enjoyed, lobster bisque (rich & full of flavor, not heavy per the 3 people that had the bisque), I had the foie gras, which was seared perfectly and accompanied by toasted sweet bread, pear compote & ginger gastrique, which was delicious! If you like foie gras, you must try this dish. For entrées, several people ordered the filet mignon, 53's Fresh Catch, Surf & Surf (jumbo prawn, king crab), lobster & filet mignon combo, which all received tasty feedback. I had the butter poached Maine lobster, with sweet pea risotto. I enjoyed the delicate & tender lobster but the risotto was just OK. We shared a few desserts - haupia creme brulee, which is a huge portion, warm chocolate cake & strawberry shortcake. My favorite was the chocolate cake & if you like chocolate, you'll love this cake. The views of Diamond Head & point panic are beautiful.

Lisa E.

This place is so beautiful! The lobby confused me because it looked like I just walked into someone's gorgeous house. Once we were greeted and led to our table, the view of Diamond Head took my breath away. Of course we had to walk outside for sunset pictures, and the staff were kind enough to take our pictures so we didn't look like fools with a selfie stick. Food was just as amazing. I had the steak and crab legs with asparagus. So tender, so delicious! We ordered an appetizer thing with the lobster as well, also wonderful! First time trying fois gras; um, well, I guess it was good, but I couldn't get past the fact that it was duck liver. Once is enough. Surely a fine dining establishment for special occasions only. Super pricey, but it was my birthday so I didn't have to pay, otherwise I wouldn't have gone here. Although that view...do it at least once, splurge, you won't regret it!

Loryn G.

I absolutely LOVE this place. It is a perfect date night spot-- though pricey, I think it is totally worth it. It is one of those places that you kinda don't feel like you are in Honolulu-- even the menu describes it as a Mediterranean villa. Side note- I think the place makes most it's money off of all the Japanese weddings they book (they have multiple banquet halls upstairs), with grand views of Diamond Head which can be viewed through floor to ceiling windows. Walking in through GINORMOUS doors in the front, you are greeted with a beautiful Scarface-esque stair case that winds around each side of the grand entry way. The host staff are gracious and prompt to greet you. A couple notes before you go-- I highly recommend reservations, and also make sure to have a bit of cash on you because the parking is valet only (validated, so you just pay tip). The dining room is lovely, the service is fancy (like, they push in your chair when you sit down and they lay the napkin on your lap for you). They have a beautiful bar area with an extensive wine selection and some great specialty cocktails between about $10 and $13. I recommend the escargot-stuffed mushrooms- they are HUGE and come in a marinara-type of sauce with crostinis. I also highly recommend the crab cakes- they have almost zero "filler" - mostly pure Alaskan king crab meat. My favorite entree so far is the Surf and Surf- with huge prawns and chunks of Alaskan king crab that is the best on the island (I am a seafood buff)-- this dish was served with broccolini and delicious mashed potatoes and was a little under $30. For dessert, get the Haupia Creme brulee-- OOH LA LA. Served in a coconut shell and big enough to serve 4 people. Delicious! The ambiance is good, and on the Friday night that I dined, they had lovely live music. First, someone was playing classical music on the grand piano by the bar, and a little later in the night a jazzy 3-person band came and performed. Bellissimoi! I will be back!!

Emi H.

It's hard for me to believe that it took me this long to eat at 53 By The Sea! I think the initial first reviews were so up and down that it discouraged me from making it a priority on my ever growing list of must eats in Honolulu. A new friend picked this as our lunch date location and I'm so happy that fate brought me to such a beautiful venue. As I drove up to 53 By The Sea and the first thing I noticed about the exterior were the gigantic black doors. When you open the doors you're greeted by an extravagant staircase. Once you're seated at your table you're then treated to one of the most amazing ocean views in Honolulu as you watch countless surfers catch waves in the distance. To start, we were served a very fancy amuse bouche that had an assortment of six different complex bites. It was soooo fancy! My friend ordered the wild salmon and I decided on the bolognese pasta. They accidentally brought me the seafood pasta and quickly corrected their error by delivering my dish quickly. Bolognese pasta = Divine in every way possible! Service during our visit to 53 By The Sea was impeccable and the entire wait staff was on hand to check on us during every point of our dining experience. Entrees at 53 By The Sea range from $22-$45 for lunch and I can't wait to see what the dinner menu looks like. Parking is complimentary valet. If you're looking for the perfect place to have a romantic date or celebrate a special occasion 53 By The Sea should definitely be on your list! If you've got kids I wouldn't recommend bringing little diners here simply because the restaurant is very quiet and if you're like me, you'll be completely paranoid about ruining someone else's dinner with the extra noise of children. #DateNight

Nicole K.

We celebrated our 1st Wedding Anniversary here last night. It was perfect. The sat us on a loveseat and we had a beautiful view of Honolulu and Waikiki. Though I expected the front house staff to be a little more 'polished,' they were all very friendly and efficient. Our server was polite, knowlegeable, and friendly. The food was what I expected it to be...delicious. We ordered two apps: escargot stuffed mushrooms and FOIE GRAS. Mmmm. We will never forget how YUMMY it was!! THAT was the showstopper. For mains we ordered lamb and sea bass. Both equally magical. The prices are what you'd expect to pay at a fine dining restaurant. $20-70 a plate. I think it is reasonable. We are BIG eaters, and already planned to go somewhere after dinner to reallly eat. Like Zippy's. Haha! But there was absolutely NO room for even dessert! Though they did give us a complimentary Anniversary cake slice. The bathrooms are lovely, and the toilets have bidet options. They were, however, out of paper or hand towels when I was in there. The ambience is exquisite and you are greeted by a grand staircase that leads up to private rooms, I think. We were seated below, but our view of Waikiki was still spectacular. We enjoyed ourselves and would love to make it an annual thing.

Jannet L.

Okay gonna give five stars bc went back and the hostess who seated us did this totally unexpected awesome thing. Went with mom for lunch and we were getting seated. The hostess removes the white napkin from in front of my seat only and places black napkin. Mom still has white napkin. So I'm trying to figure out if this black napkin is to wipe the menu or some other purpose. And she's waiting for me to put it in my lap before she hands us the menu. And then it clicked - I'm wearing black pants and she had grabbed me a black napkin so I wouldn't get white lint all over my pants. Consider my mind blown by the thoughtful service. Maybe I am so unsophisticated so haven't been to fancy places but this is the first time that I've had that happen. Really impressed me! Food was yummy, Bloody Mary yummy, views amazing - all around really enjoyable experience. Marble and iron sopranos style decor notwithstanding.

Wing L.

Let me start off by saying, the SEAFOOD is so yummy here! Go for the sea, not the land. We had dinner reservations here for a group of 6 of us and were seated in the middle of the dining room with a great view of the ocean. Complimentary valet parking ONLY when you pull up to the front of the restaurant. Don't forget to tip after your meal! You're greeted with large doors at the front and once those doors open, a grand set of stairs. We were there around Christmas, so they had a beautiful Christmas tree up for decor! The windows here are so clean and they go from floor to ceiling, so you don't miss a beat on the view outside. Absolutely gorgeous restaurant with a stunning view! Wine & drinks - Lots of choices and they have some cool cocktails too. They also have happy hour at the bar, so if you don't want to fancy an expensive dinner, I would definitely recommend coming here for some drinks or small bites. Apps - Lemonade Crab Cakes were awesome - the lemon sauce they use here is delicious! Just sweet enough and "lemony" enough where I want to smother my food with it. Sashimi was good too as well as the Escargot. Great choices! Entree - I ordered the Surf & Surf which was jumbo prawns and king crab meat. Like I said, the seafood is good here! It was a good portion for me - I couldn't finish it myself. My boyfriend had the lamb chops and they were good, but a little dry. He wishes he could the seafood :) Dessert - SO MANY GOOD OPTIONS! Whatever sounds good to you, I'm sure you got a winner. The Warm Chocolate Cake was delish. I would even just come back to try their other desserts! Since the name of the restaurant is called 53 By The Sea - I recommend ordering the seafood here. You can't go wrong!

Nathan K.

We had a guest who's from San Francisco here and we took him to much at this restaurant. It was a good pick. We loved everything about it. The location, food, service, ambiance, and view was just great. This is the area where the John Dominis Restaurant was. It's replaced with a totally different restaurant and a good one.

Jenna G.

I really wanted this place to be amazing. I made reservations for a Friday night to celebrate our Anniversary. I know the fireworks go off at 7:45 so I asked for a table by the window, they couldn't promise that. We decided to leave the house a bit early in order to get there at a decent time. Once we got closer I was skeptical due to the surroundings. The restaurant offers complimentary valet parking, tips are appreciated. The gentleman opened my door and went around to the driver's side. He told us which door to enter for the restaurant, but I wanted to take a few pics of the outside. When we walked in, the decor was amazing. There was a gorgeous staircase coming down and they had a tree next to it decorated for Christmas. We were greeted by the hostess who took us to the bar since we were about 30 minutes early. As she sat us, she told us "Happy Anniversary." The bartender handed us a menu and mentioned it was still happy hour prices. We each ordered a drink and the shrimp cocktail. My husband ordered another drink and then it was time to go to our table. We decided to transfer our bar drinks to our bill and pay at the table later, but we left a tip there. We were able to choose between 2 tables, one by the window and one with a 2 seater couch behind another table. We chose the one by the table even though it was near a larger party. Our chairs were pulled out for us and napkins placed in our lap. Our waitress was very quick to come over and tell us her name. We ordered 2 appetizers and I ordered soup. The food was very good and didn't take too long to come out. I ordered a noter drink, trying to prolong our time there to ensure we would see the fireworks. We ordered our entree's and just chatted. We walked outside for a few pics as well. Once we finished everything, our waitress handed us a dessert menu. I thought we ordered a dessert and the chef would write a Happy Anniversary message on it. We chose the warm chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. It came out but didn't have anything written on it. I mention something to the gentleman who brought it out and watched him tell our waitress something. About 5 minutes later, another dessert plate came out that said "Happy Anniversary." Our bill came when we finished and we made sure to look it over. We did not get to pay happy hour prices for the items ordered at the bar. We paid for the first dessert too. I feel for the amount we paid, we should have been able to have a few things adjusted. The food seemed just okay. The fireworks were beautiful and I am happy we had a chance to watch them. I will not go back here, I think I can go to a better restaurant next time.

C K.

Went for Mother's Day and boy o boy I wish I would have gone here a long time ago. Atmosphere was fantastic. I was able to bring my 10 month old with no issues. Appetizer was the lemonade crab cakes... Superb!!!! Next I had the lobster and my husband had the surf and surf, both excellent and filling The dessert was the BOMB!!! Banana Bread pudding just the right size to share too. Thanks for making my 1st Mother's Day special!

Amy D.

Wow, a local friend and I were discussing restaurants and I mentioned I like Hsar and Stage. He said he would recommend I try 53 By The Sea as it has a beautiful view and fabulous service. Another local said it was really nice and when you pull up you'll think you are at some rich old guys house. Wow, wow, did I say wow? It truly looked like a mansion and the entry was gorgeous. Once inside it was elegant and the view breathtaking. We chose a table on the glass in the bar. Our server was so sweet and super attentive. We were immediately given napkins that would not leave lint on our clothing which I am a big fan of. We ordered a bottle of Chardonnay and it was brought promptly. For dinner we started with a caesar salad and three girls shared it as it was very large and plenty for a starter. The server was nice enough to tell us that. Then my friend and I decided to share the surf and turf and our other friend chose the lobster. We also ordered a side dish of mushrooms. Everything was absolutely fabulous and top notch other than the mushrooms... they were fine but not great. I'd likely try another side dish next time. We ended with a banana bread pudding that was absolutely unbelievable! OH EM GEE - YUMMY!!! Seriously one amazing dessert. HIGHLY recommend this. Other fun things: hostess took several pictures of us which was sweet, the entire staff serving us were ON IT not a detail was missed and it truly felt like fine dining (as it should for the prices but totally worth it) and a wonderful pianist played in the bar at 6:30 which we really enjoyed. Finally you have to go to the bathroom. Toilets are fantastic. You'll see.

Lil T.

As a visitor, this is my favorite restaurant for a quiet evening dinner. I hear lunch is just as exquisite. Ok, next time. The drive to this place is awkward because the surrounding area is quite industrial and a little seedy but when you finally arrive..oh the beautiful, spectacular view of the large plantation building is worth the trip. Then you enter the large double doors and see a huge staircase and beyond that a wonderful view of diamond head and Waikiki! This place got a five star just for its location and view... But no 53 continues to amaze...the front reception is warm and welcoming; very respectful and polite. The table settings are impeccable and extravagant. The service was friendly and reliable. The drinks were great! My Chilean sea bass was delish..and the seafood platter was awesome! Ambiance is wonderful; quiet, sophisticated, spectacular view.. Service is great.. Food is so good just what fine dining is about.. My go to place on every visit back to Oahu!

Kim W.

This place is elegant and classy, with beautifully presented delicious food and an ambiance straight out of a movie. Also, they appealed to my inner science nerd by using dry ice on the seafood showcase. I mean, who WOULDN'T love a dish with bubbling smoke, right? I feel like this component would even up the ante of salted cardboard on a plate. I probably would have stared at it for a lot longer, but a) there was yummy seafood to eat and b) the person I ate with has been known to sneak delicious food from under my nose on occasion when I am not looking. To top it off, I think that the haupia creme brulee served in a coconut is probably the best creme brulee I have ever had in my life. Coming from a person who would probably eat dessert 3 times a day if she could, this says a lot.

Tiffany N.

This is fancy restaurant. It is beautiful! You can see the beach! It does required reservation, they do ask you the reason why you're here because they offer complimentary desserts. My bf and I went here for our anniversary. And we loved it! Right about 7:30pm they have fireworks right outside of the beach. All lights and music in the restaurant are turned off! First off, gotta love their breads and house cheese (mixed with pineapple?) it was so good! Their good was semi average because you can pretty much dine somewhere else and get about the same flavor as this restaurant. It is the setting of this restaurant, and beach view. Secondly, if you do decide to order wine. They do pour it into a nice tall vase, not like any other places. Last, their restroom. Lol. Kinda weird to mention. But it's funny. They have buttons to clean your front and rear LOL! As soon as you sit down. The seat is already warmed up. So crazy! Honestly , it is a 4 stars restaurant, yet it isn't that price. Maybe around $70 per person. It's not too bad. Their dinner dishes are about 30-60. :)

Alissa H.

I LOVED THIS RESTAURANT. Took my boyfriend here for his birthday and we couldn't get over the food and the bathrooms. The food is so amazing and even though it looks small it's perfect. The appetizer we got was fois gras, which was my first time eating this, and it was soooo good! I ate fish and it was delicious and tasted like buttered popcorn and he had lamp chops and he said it was super good. I loved the ambiance of the restaurant and it was so beautiful. The bathrooms are really nice and have cool toilets (like the ones in Japan). The staff was very friendly and we got a complimentary cake for his birthday. I would definitely love to come here again.

Neen J.

Incredible! We loved the huge wooden doors as we entered and the setting is stunning. The food was beautifully presented and the service was exceptional. We ordered the seafood platter to share for two as an appetizer and it was served over dry ice and so fresh and a huge serving. I enjoyed the mushroom risotto with truffles and it was delicious. My honey ordered the butter poached lobster with fresh green pea risotto and he loved it. Dessert was Coconut pannacotto with sorbet and passionfruit sauce - also delish! This place has a great view, a wonderful menu and fabulous service.

Taylor A.

Just came in to physically see a menu. I was wanting and willingly about to spend a lot for a nice night with my spouse to celebrate an important occasion. Of course I was not dressed to the "nines". So because I was not dressed nicely I received the worst customer service from the hostess that I have ever experienced , if that is how you treat your potential customers then I rather take my business else where. It was unprofessional and discriminating. I did not appreciate her attitude what so ever. Never ever will I want to even think of going here because of this encounter.

Lei N.

Birthday lunch (October 2014) My mom planned the lunch during the week since we were all free. Valet parking. Such a gorgeous place, inside and out. We were seated near the window, but majority of the tables had a window view. My brother and I were curious and a waitress allowed us to go outside ( instagram.com/p/t8lAXKHt… ). Our lunch was a three course meal: Starters: instagram.com/p/t8mbuQHt… They were all interesting and each should be eaten as is or you'll be missing out! Entree: instagram.com/p/t8oxQ2nt… I wish I had some mashed potatoes. Brother's: instagram.com/p/t8o67Ont… his was expensive! Birthday dessert: instagram.com/p/t8t5yknt… Since it was my birthday, the dessert plate had more than what they would usually give. No I'm not 53. The strawberry cheesecake and ice cream, SO GOOD. Attire: not a jeans and tank top place. Servers: explained our dishes as they came. For a place like this, I thought their dishes would be much more pricey, but some weren't. Wouldn't recommend bringing children, since other customers probably come here for the peace and quiet with good company. After lunch, as we waited for our car, I guess the valet guys noticed us taking pictures of the place and offered to take our photos for us. How nice. Celebrate your birthday at 53 by the Sea ;)

Jason Q.

My wife and I chose 53 By the Sea to celebrate our wedding anniversary. When you enter the drive way, the building itself is very impressive and only gets more impressive when you enter the lobby. I would say this is the most elegant and impressive designed restaurant in Hawaii. Every table has an amazing view of Diamond Head. We had a bench seat which was cozy and comfortable. Just sitting in the restaurant, we were looking forward to our meal. We ordered a Caseser salad, and Froie Grois to start, and then both decided to order the Rib Eye and Lobster. Up to now, everything was perfect.....and than the food came. The lobster was well presented and looked delicious. And than my wife and I discovered that we couldn't cut it. It was so overcooked it was rubber. Twice while trying to cut it, it slipped off my plate. I thought maybe the lobster was trying to find its way back into the ocean. Unfortunately, the steak was no better. It was cooked to the right temperture, but the meat was tough. It was just shy of being considered beef jerky. The steak was only 6oz, but so bad that I only ate half. Now, the table next to us ordered the fish and they both commented that they loved their selection. Maybe the Catch of the Day is the way to go.

Anson H.

Once you past the Homeless camp in Kaka'ako you'll pull up to this Mansion of a restaurant. Greeted by a good valet service team we walked inside. The view is Great and watching the surf and surfers is a plus. We started off with the braised short ribs and crab cakes. They both were pretty good. For our entree, The Other half ordered the lamb chops and I had the fish. It was Monchong and it was prepared very simple with garlic butter and little bit oil. She didn't care for the lamb chops. It was cooked perfectly but not too much flavor. We compared our food to Ruth's Chris and we would rather dine there. The service was top notch. We finished our dinner before the fireworks show but they kindly gave us a table outside to wait and watch the show.

Kit W.

Like a castle out of a fairy tale, 53 By the Sea is stunningly elegant with a grand staircase, chandeliers, and floor to ceiling windows with breathtaking waterfront views of Diamond Head and Waikiki. I was duly charmed and could totally understand why so many choose to come here for special occasions! A friend told me about the relatively new happy hour offered here so this review is solely for their happy hour. 53 By the Sea offers happy hour daily from 4-6:30 PM in their bar lounge. There is plenty of seating--about eight tables outdoors, at least four tables indoors, and numerous seats at the bar. My friend and I got here around 4:30 PM on a Friday and were the first ones there (we thought seating was limited so we hurried over haha). For drinks, we went with cocktails--the Garden Lemonade and the Royal Pink Petal. Both were so utterly delightful--the cucumber vodka in the Garden Lemonade was deliciously refreshing and the Royal Pink Petal was a great choice. Bar food menu is 50% off during happy hour so that was awesome! We went with the Cayenne Calamari, Spinach Shimeji Mushroom Gratin, and Ahi Tataki. The calamari was not really spicy but came with a nice lemonade dip. My friend did not like that it did not come out hot or at least warm. The spinach mushroom gratin did though and was soooo good! The ahi tataki was incredibly mini...taste was fine but it was just so mini haha. Check out my pictures if you are interested in perusing the bar drinks and food menu! I don't think a lot of people know about the happy hour here yet so I hope my review will help spread the word! I had a great time overall and look forward to returning for more!

Liane C.

You pull up to a beautiful house and you won't believe this was the old John Dominis. Then you walk inside and what a outstanding view. Any where you sit, you will have the view of Diamond Head. The menu has a variety of choices where it's a good idea to share. Love this place for date night.

Jane L.

I was quite impressed with the beautiful view, ambiance and how clean the restaurant is, although the service was not what I expected. Free Valet parking but you should tip, service was quick for this. We arrived around 1115 and we were greeted right away when we entered and since we had reservations at 1130 we were seated quickly and waited for the rest of our party to arrive. They pulled out our chairs and put our napkins on on lap. They asked us what we would like to drink and we ordered the plantation iced tea (best plantation iced tea I've ever had) although it took over ten minutes to receive our drinks. When the rest of our party arrived they ordered their drinks plantation iced tea & diet coke. This too took over ten minutes to arrive. We ordered our food, the appetizers arrived at the same time for our party of 6. However our food even though a few of us ordered the same items received our food at different times. We didn't get to enjoy our meal together. Our entrees took over 30 minutes to arrive so we kept filling ourselves up with food and iced tea. We rarely got our water filled, we were not tended to much it's as if they forgot about us. Other people who arrived after us received their food and were waited on more than our group. Someone in our party asked what type of salad dressing they had and her response was I'm new I don't know I will get back to you but she never did. We ended up leaving at 2pm. 1130a-2p is a really long time. I would've expected better service at this restaurant. Appetizers: Delicious Entree :Frutti De Mare - meh Dessert: mango sorbet with lilikoi roll - delicious

Kristen K.

May I just start this review off by saying that I really, dearly miss John Dom. Sigh. Anyway, so 53 by the Sea took over John Dom's location. You pull up to what looks like a private estate. Step inside the double doors (that the polite valet holds open for you) and be prepared to be in awe. The grand staircase is a sight. Soft notes from the piano floated around as we were led into the main dining room. We were seated at a prime window table and had the most gorgeous, unobstructed view of Diamond Head (and the breathtaking sunset that occurred shortly after). My fiance and I happened to be celebrating our anniversary that night....can you just swoon a little bit and try to imagine how damn romantic this ambiance is?! Our team of servers came over to introduce themselves, and presented us with some champagne. One of them, I remembered from Michels. Turns out the other was my fiance's old friend. I felt relieved knowing from the get-go that service would be excellent. Which it was throughout the entire evening. Here's what we ordered to start: --Seafood Showcase (Maine lobster, king crab, sashimi, oysters): gorgeous presentation. So fresh. I even tried an oyster. The crab was to die for. --Special dish sent out to us: Scallops two ways prepared specially by the chef. Amazing. --Mushroom Risotto: we love risotto so we just had to get this. Every bite was heaven. These all paired impeccably well with the bottle of Frank Family that we had brought with us. For our entrees, I went with the Surf & Surf (jumbo prawns and king crab)....it was just delicious. Fiance chose the 12 oz. Ribeye which came out cooked to perfection. The steak was tender and juicy and practically melted in your mouth. After another glass of wine or two off their extensive menu, enter in......the *overly contented sigh* A complimentary dessert was sent out shortly after but by then I had reached my max point of indulgence for the evening and I was stuffed beyond measure. What a wonderful evening we had. NOTE: I don't know what took me so long to actually write this review. Apologies. But I recently heard that 53 is scheduled to close!? If this is true, what a shame that is. Another good seafood restaurant will be lost from the island.

Linda Y.

This was our first visit to 53 by the sea. The flight attendant brought it to our attention that is was the new place that replaced John Dominis. We were intrigued so we made a reservation. After reading the yelp reviews we had high expectations. Well, it lived up to our expectations. The service was excellent and the food was delicious. We shared baby romaine salad and fresh oysters. Entrees were lamb chops and fresh catch (mong chong). It is an upscale dining experience and not something you would do often. Glad we tried it and I'm sure we will go again. Oh for dessert we were given an anniversary cake (strawberry shortcake ) which was just enough to go with our after dinner coffee and tea.

Olga R.

One of the greatest restaurants on the island. Beautiful view on Diamond Head and very delicious food. I will definitely go there for the next special occasion!

Joanne V.

Dined with a party of 9 at 8:30pm on a Friday to celebrate one of my girls' graduation from the UH business school (But 7 of us arrived at 8pm because it was a SURPRISE!). The decor was elegant & it sorta reminded me of Kris Jenner's home (Mmmhmm... I used to watch KUWTK). Loved that there was complimentary valet parking, a hostess who opened the double doors for us, & that we were seated (with seats pushed in & everything) right away at a very beautiful table. Though we were early, we ordered cocktails (they were received very promptly & suggestions were made based on our taste preferences) & told our waiter that we wouldn't be ordering our appetizers or entrees until the final two people in our party showed up. Our celebrant showed up right on time, but unfortunately, we weren't checked up on at all from her arrival till about 8:50pm, which was definitely 20 minutes too long (especially because I was famished!). One of my friends went up to the waiter to directly ask him to bring us some menus. We ordered our dishes at 9:10pm & they were all brought out to us by 9:35pm. The food was amazing! Everything that I had tasted was very satisfying & portions were pretty decent. I was expecting less food because pictures just made everything look like bird food or maybe my eyes are just bigger than my stomach! I hadn't eaten all day so I decided to order the Basil Pesto Scampi & it was very flavorful (the basil was very potent, but I liked it), tomatoes were fresh, & the shrimp were plump, cooked very well, & abundant on my plate. I got to have a few bites of the mushroom chicken, which tasted great & the portion provided was more than enough. The view was amazing! I wish I could have captured a photo that did it justice. Prices were reasonable & aside from the long wait at times, service was pretty good... Our water glasses were refilled frequently, menu items were described in more detail and recommendations were provided, & the staff were also nice enough to take our photos on the stairwell & chairs (yes, we had to take advantage of the photo opp!). Definitely a good place for a variety of occasions from a date night to a special birthday or graduation. My rating could have been higher if we weren't left alone for so long during the crucial phase of waiting patiently for our menus & food.

Yvonne M.

5 Stars for Lunch!! But still 4 Stars for dinner. (See dinner review below ) The lunch is great because the views are even more amazing and the food prices are decent because it includes an amuse bouche, the entree, and a dessert! So worth it for Mother's day or a birthday lunch! I came here to celebrate one of my best friend's birthday! **The amuse bouche included with our meal :) yelp.com/biz_photos/53-b… 1) Point Panic Crab Sandwich yelp.com/biz_photos/53-b… 2) Ribeye Baguette Sandwich 3) Frutti di Mare yelp.com/biz_photos/53-b…

Lauren J.

My boyfriend took me here on our vacation to Oahu for my 25th birthday. He made a reservation and we were sat right away. When making the reservation I think they ask if you're celebrating any special occasion because they knew we were there to celebrate my birthday when we sat down which was special. First off, the view is incredible. You're literally on the water and if you get a table by the windows it's even better. The sun sets over diamond head in the distance and you can watch all the surfers catching the last few waves during what little sunlight is left of the day. Absolutely breathtaking. Second off, the important stuff- the food. Although this place is expensive and extremely upscale you should know that going into it and not be blown away by prices because you're definitely Getting an exquisite meal. We ordered the oysters to start and they come with a seaweed salad and homemade cocktail sauce which was great. For meals I had the basil pesto shrimp scampi and it was probably the best shrimp dish I have ever had in my life. Not exaggerating. I'm not entirely sure how they cooked the shrimp but they were slightly crispy and tasted unlike anything I've ever had. The basil pesto pasta was the icing on the cake! My boyfriend had the mahi mahi dish and he devoured every bite. I had some and it was definitely delicious with a great mango sauce. We ordered three different gelato flavors for dessert and all were great but they even brought out a slice of strawberry shortcake compliments of the house for my birthday with a little candle. It was very special and much appreciated. The drinks were great also, we tested a few of the special cocktails and also a glass of red wine with dinner. The wine list is extensive so give it some time to look it over you're sure to find something you like. All around great service and very helpful with questions we had. Prompt and professional and we had a great experience. If we're ever back on the island I hope to go again!

G R.

Delicious food. I went here for one of my best friends in da world's birthday. The foie gras was delicious and a nice fist size. I shared it with my family but next time I would love to eat one for myself. Melts in your mouth foie gras is delish. Also I had a surf and turf which was not bad. For me...the star was the foie gras and the yummy birthday dessert 53 By the Sea provided for my awesome friend. Yay!

Max S.

Fancy Fancy! From the time you walk in the door you feel like a celebrity. They greet you by name and all. The view is amazing of the harbor and surf. I had to go with 4 stars due to for the price and elegance you would expect a little better food. But overall was good.

Kenson K.

Wow. This place is gorgeous. Came here for lunch and my goodness, the view is spectacular. I had the fruitti di mare and it was quite tasty. My colleague had the crustacean sandwich, which looked really, really good. It had practically every crustacean known to man crammed into that sandwhich. I also had the onion soup, which I thought was a little skimpy on the soup, but the flavor was good. Our entrees came with a complimentary appetizer/amouse and dessert. Both spectacular. I think next time, I'm going to come here and maybe take the fam or spouse. Only thing is that they don't allow you to park outside. You have to hand your keys over to the valet, even though the parking lot is just a few steps from the entrance.

Joanna Y.

My family and I have dined here for lunch a few times and each time was excellent. The service was great, the food was good, and can't beat that amazing view. LOCATION The old John Dominis at Kakaako. Complimentary valet parking, but you'll still need to tip. No problem for me, I like a valet watching my car for me, especially since there are so many bums in that area lol. ATMOSPHERE The very first time I came here was for a dinner several months ago and I thought it was very classy, very spacious, with the typical mood lighting. But now I know that lunch time is much better! At night, you can't really see the outside as much. During the day time you get a great view of Diamond Head and the ocean. SERVICE Very good. For lunch, we had the same waiter every time and he always remembers us haha. For my one dinner experience, I remember there was a mix up in my order and it took what seemed like forever to get my dish back to me (the rest of my group had already almost finished theirs) but the waitress had apologized and gave me a complimentary soup as I waited, and a complimentary dessert afterward. I appreciated the gesture. FOOD Now that I've been here several times, I can say that I think the food is good (not spectacular) but I'm not sure if it is worth the price. We are paying for the great service and great food. However -- at lunch, the food is slightly less expensive than dinner, and it comes with an appetizer plate and a sorbet for dessert. Thus, I feel that the lunch is a better deal than the dinner. - CRUSTACEAN CLUB: Probably the highlight during lunch since it's stuffed with crab meat and topped with lobster. My mom orders this every time we come here and I've stolen a few bites. I think the portion and taste is pretty good. - RIBEYE BAGUETTE SANDWICH: This one comes with five little prime rib sandwiches. It's kind of a lot of bread but my dad likes it. - JUMBO TIGER SHRIMP SALAD: I had this the last time I went and thought it was good, with nice huge shrimp, but could have used a spritz or 2 more of salad dressing. The salad veggies did not seem too fresh as there were a lot of wilting/browning parts but the other salads on my parent's meals were the same. - HORSERADISH HERB CRUSTED SALMON: My dad ordered this once and he's a pretty big guy. This entire dish was the size of my tiny fist. Maybe 4 bites max. The taste was OK. - FRUTTI DI MARE: I had this for my one dinner experience, and my mom had ordered it for lunch before and we both said it was OK. A little bit on the spicier side but not bad. - GRILLED KONA MAINE LOBSTER: Yup, one time I went for the gold but that's because it was my birthday lol. I thought this was pretty good, can't go wrong with a perfectly grilled lobster with veggies and potato puree. - PESTO SHRIMP SCAMPI: Not bad, but nothing special. Just a shrimp pesto pasta.

Myong C.

Went there for happy hour. I hadn't been since the place was John Dominis so I actually drove right past the entrance because it looked so different. Beautiful and elegant, the entry is quite a sight. Then you walk in, and you're presented with one of the best dining views in the city. We headed to the bar for their happy hour specials. I ordered their special lemonade (I forget the exact name of the drink) and was very disappointed to discover that it tasted like it hardly had any alcohol in it. Seriously, I know it's happy hour prices but can you at least give me a hint of a buzz? After guzzling down the drink I ordered a beer. At least you can't water that down, right? As for the food, it was okay. The fried calamari was the worst of the 3 dishes we ordered. They looked like they had lots of seasoning on them but they had no flavor whatsoever. Even the lemon dipping sauce was bland. I usually love fried calamari but this wasn't a good dish at all. The tenderloin baguette on the other hand was very good. The tenderloin was tender enough to be cut with your teeth as you bit it and the sauce was quite flavorful. The last dish was the spinach mushroom cheese spread. First of all, the presentation was bleah as it looked like a big yellow and green mess. The spread was okay, but on the salty side. I wouldn't order it again. I don't think I'll be returning to 53BTS, despite their incredible view, unless it's on someone else's dime.

Reiko S.

We had lunch today to celebrate my friend's birthday. The lunch is a deal. With the price of an entree you get an appetizer "amuse" and dessert! The service was excellent from the valet to the hostess. Ms Shiroma was very personable and informative. I had the spaghetti and my girlfriend had the Fruitti de Mare seafood pasta. The view is terrific! We had such a good time, can't wait to go back!!!

Christopher W.

So the restaurant was very clean and amazing view. the waitress was one of the best I ever had. As for the food, delicious. Fish cooked perfectly and lemonade crab cakes were awesome.

Krysten I.

As many other reviews have said, I felt like I was walking into someone's house, well, mansion for lunch, my birthday lunch to be exact. We left my car with the very friendly valet (it's valet only), and proceeded through the ridiculously large front doors. There were so many hostesses and waiters and busboys and staff walking around that I felt a little overwhelmed. The view is absolutely beautiful: diamond head in the background, surfers riding the blue waves breaking within view. It's so dang gorgeous. And the interior? Impeccable. We started with drinks, mojito for him and juicy cocktail for me. I asked for one of the non alcoholic juicy blends (the lilikoi, lonade one) with vodka. The waiter happily obliged and I happily sipped my sweet fruity drink!while taking in the sun drenched view. I also had the flower bouquet beverage, spiked of course. It wasn't as good, meddled strawberries look pretty, but make it hard to drink a beverage through a straw. I had a sip of the boyfriend's mojito. It was one of the best I've had. For lunch, we started with the appetizer bites that are included with the lunch entrees. The appetizers were nicely plated, 5 in all. I thought they were mostly good. The octopus one was my favorite I think, but the chilled ratatouille was delicious too. The complimentary bread and lilikoi butter was also very delicious. I had the special of the day which was short rib on mushroom with red wine reduction risotto. The risotto was delicious. The short rib was a little dry thigh and the slices of cherry tomato were not thought out well. I think it could have been better, more cohesive and tomatoes not just thrown on the plate. We ended our meal with the dessert that came with the lunch entrees. We had raspberry sorbet with a piece of cheesecake and I got a piece of white cake for my birthday. In all, service was amazing, from the valet guy to the hostess, to our great waiter. The view and ambiance were amazing, even the bathrooms were great. As for the food, I honestly was expecting a bit better. After the hype of the gorgeous scenery and service, the food was a bit of a let down. I wouldn't not come back, of course, it just might be awhile until I convince others to come here again with me. There are so many other nice fancy shmancy places in waikiki. I was also a little disappointed that there is no dress code for lunch. I thought this was a nice place, but a tourist walked in in a tank top and slippers. In fact I'd say most of the male patrons were in t shirts. Ehhhh whatevs

Jackii A.

Atmosphere: It is so dreamy and amazing! It literally makes you feel like Alice in wonderland! This is such a dreamy place! Huge door with gorgeous (and huge) flight of stairs. It makes you feel like you're walking into someone's mansion! The tiles are perfectly spotless and shiny, the ceiling is beautifully high with gorgeous shiny chandeliers! Food: The best pasta ever! The seafood was amazingly cooked to perfection! Not rubbery or hard at all! It was so delectable you will wish to come here more often! For what you get, the pricing wasn't bad at all! $29 for perfectly cooked shrimp, tako, squid, muscles, clams, scallops, and many more! Perfect amount of seafood too! You get the most abundant amount too! The sampler was amazing. I still can't figure it out. Everything went together like it was meant to be! The tako soup was so tender and mouthwatering. Every dish on the sampler was amazing! The service: Amazing service! Patient, respectful, and personable! Everything how it should be at a restaurant! The Vallet guy was the best ever! He would open the doors smiling, attentive, and personable! He'd also hand you your seatbelt and wished us a safe drive home! How dreamy! The bathrooms: THE BEST EVER!!! The toilet seat will lift up when you walk in the stall! No more dirty hands! The cleanest, largest, and fanciest bathrooms ever!!

Thor S.

I was looking for a truly stunning dinner to finish a week on Oahu. The setting was wonderful and the service was good. However, the food was just ok and not up to expectations. It did not help that the mashed potatoes on my plate were cold when arrived (they did immediately bring a bowl of new potatoes but that should not happen at a fine restaurant) The music in the lounge was too loud and gave me a headache.

K B.

Nice view of the ocean, great service, classy atmosphere, excellent menu. I was pleasantly impressed & enjoyed the moment.

Kenitha Y.

Beautiful view with terrible food! My boyfriend and I came here seeking a restaurant that had a view of the ocean and city with great food to accompany it. The restaurant itself is amazing, especially with their grand staircase and architecture. Despite that, the food wasn't up to par especially for what we were paying. For appetizers, we ordered the seafood showcase and the escargot stuffed mushrooms. The seafood showcase was good... because how could you really mess that up... The escargot was okay. It was exactly what it was except it was in a spicy tomato sauce. Good but nothing to really brag about. Now... the main course is what really did it for me. We ordered the lamb with potato purée and roasted asparagus. The lamb was CRAP!! OMG we had to complain because each bite was horrible. Don't get me wrong, I've eaten plenty of lamb and I LOVE it but her, at 53 by the Sea, it tasted like liver. L-I-V-E-R!! I eat a lot of liver too... It was soft and whipped like with a taste of liver. Like wtf happened?! Ugh. The waitress was kind enough to take it off our bill because we couldn't eat it. Service was good. Bathrooms were awesome (did I mention the heated toilet seats?!). All in all... I wouldn't come back. 1.5 stars for you.

Kevin K.

On a summer trip to Hawaii, I met some good friends here who treated us to lunch. The service was excellent, the atmosphere was breathtaking, and the food was top notch. I had the ribeye baguette sandwich, and it was absolutely delicious. We were a large party and our service was still spot on. My wife and I were taking the trip as a honeymoon, and the staff made sure to acknowledge that with a nice surprise dessert. All in all, it was a wonderful experience, and I would recommend this place to anyone in the area. It is especially convenient if you are taking a cruise, as it is located very close to where NCL and Princess depart from. Our taxi ride was short and affordable. I will definitely return the next time that I am privileged enough to be in the area.

Stephanie P.

Joseph N.

Kelli G.

Allen N.

Pete P.

P C.

John K.

Darci N.

Rob B.

Karen F.

Eddie L.

Sunny D.

Jane M.

Don B.

Jason A.

Laura C.

Mindy K.

Joe C.

Ann C.

M B.

Kayla H.

James H.

Esther K.

Scott K.

Kathy F.

Robert W.

Carol B.

Jerry E.

Tried the lunch set here for the first time and was pleasantly surprised. You really get the bang for the buck; simply out, you can't beat the price for what you get and besides, you also get the almost (window frames spoiled a little) unobstructed view of the magnificent Diamond Head. This place will replace lunches at Mariposa for me, possibly permanently.

Tracy S.

Tried this place for the first time with a couple of friends during the holidays. The restaurant is gorgeous! It really is a great place for a special occasion. We had the tasting menu - it was awesome!! The food was delicious and the dessert was excellent! Definitely will go again=)

Dean O.

Jess Y.

Clay K.

Paul H.

J. C.

Hannah M.

Sheila G.

I took my boyfriend here on his birthday. He enjoyed every aspect of it; from the food to the japanese style toilets. The view itself is amazing. While you sit waiting for dinner, you get to see Diamond Head and the sea surrounding you. Come on a Friday before sunset and watch the fireworks near Diamond Head. There is always a Friday firework show hosted by one of the hotels. Make sure to reserve a table in advance on a Friday night as it does get fully booked around sunset/firework time. I'm not really sure on the dress code. The air about this place is very fancy schmancy. Driving on the lot, you would think it's someones mansion. But on the day we went, we saw a couple wearing just jeans and shirts. As for the food, it was prepared well. My bf had the prix fix dinner and I had pasta. All of which were delicious. Don't forget to order a bottle of wine to set the mood.

Jesse L.

This restaurant is always the one place we cannot miss when on the South Shore! It has such an amazing view and the service and cuisine is impeccable. This is more than just an experience but always the highlight of our culinary experience in Hawai'i - Mahalo to 53 By The Sea for the memorable experience - every time!

Biny C.

Amazing service and excellent food! I recently had a luncheon party here. The managers( Cheryl and Nori) were very helpful, considerate and efficient. They reply your e mails quickly and hear out your requirements and needs. The restaurant was very flexible on changing around their set menus for my needs, and they allowed us to manage the seatings as we wish. Food was very presentable to my guests, they weren't amazing, but very neat and tasty. We had a set menu: ($85 dollar per person, 5 courses - sashimi, steak, pasta, salad, and ice cream). I had about 20 guests. The restaurant is so beautiful!! This place will be perfect for any type of formal event. The parking is very convenient too.

Chris S.

Been here when they first opened for dinner. The service is excellent, the view is perfect for a date. The food is well worth the money in my opinion. Came here for their course menu for valentine's day and as expected wasn't a let down. From when they first opened till now the food and service hasn't changed, still great food and great service.

Denalee C.

53 By the Sea + Me = A very happy girl, you see. This restaurant was on the route of the Ward Nite Run and while I huffed and puffed my way through the vog infested 5K, 53 By the Sea was like a beacon of light in the darkness. I asked my friend, "I didn't know there was a five star hotel in Kakaako." She responded with a smile, "It's 53 By the Sea". Haha, my bad. Since when did restaurants in Hawaii look more like swanky mainland mansions? Talk about an upgrade from the last restaurant that stood in the same spot. Tonight before dinner, we pulled in behind a stretch SUV limo with a bedazzled trunk handle-man, even the patrons are fancy. They have complimentary valet and once you get out of the car, they open these huge doors to reveal a gorgeous, modern restaurant that looks more like a "Real Housewives" home than a restaurant. There's a grand stair case that greets you at the entrance complete with a railing that is so intricate that you may have to hire a full time person to ensure a dust free stairs experience. Every detail of the restaurant is extremely elegant and gorgeous. We arrived after sunset which meant we missed out on the beautiful view. *insert sad face*. I always check with my fellow yelpers to decide what to order but this was the one and only time it was not helpful. I'm not sure if they recently changed the menu or it's on a rotation but many of the mentioned entrees in recent reviews were not listed on my menu. The server recommended the scallops and the sea bass. He also mentioned for a seafood restaurant, they have mentionable meat that they put in a chilled container on a plane so it is never frozen. We ordered a bottle of Jovino, lobster roll, surf & surf and the sea bass. The bread basket boasted three types of breads but the one to indulge in is the sweet bread (the one that looks like a bun, rather than the sliced pieces ) and the lilikoi butter has a pop of sweetness to the silky texture. The Jovino was absolutely delicious-it was like drinking juice from a glass: light but flavorful. The lobster roll were three tiny pieces of bread that were buttered, stuffed with lobster pieces and possibly pan fried. Amazing flavor, generous portions of lobster! I was extremely hesitant to order the sea bass as if you go to any decent Chinese restaurant, you can get delicious sea bass. However, it was like butter. It was the equivalent of butterfish-light, moist, tender. And the sauce. It was a perfect combination of oil, shoyu and whatever magic the chef threw in. I was a bit shocked to learn it was ala cart and I had to order rice on the side. For dessert, we settled in on the chocolate cake. They had me at 'butterscotch' which to me is almost equivalent to caramel. The cake itself tasted like a flourless cake-which isn't my favorite. It lacked the spongey-ness of a real cake. It was still rich and indulgent. The ice cream and butterscotch topping was creamy and delicious. I had a wonderful experience. Our waiter and crew were attentive and completely took care of us. What sealed the deal was not only was the bathroom beautiful as well, but they had Toto toilets. That's an extra star right there. Six stars for 53 By the Sea!

Aaron Koichi C.

Omg the service is impeccable. The ambiance intriguing and intoxicating from the moment you step in. The food is tasty and mouth tantalizing. I would recommend this to all my friends around the world.

Edna M.

I had never heard of this place until my husband came home saying that his coworkers said we should go there for our anniversary. We had already made Alan Wong's reservations, canceled those to try this place. First off, you drive in to what almost looks like a what used to be mansion. You get out the car as the valet man politely greets you and offers to take a photo at the gigantic, beautiful double doors. You walk in to a beautiful restaurant overlooking the ocean and a massive white staircase which leads to other private dining rooms. We don't go up there.. Lol. They seat us by the window next to a very breathtaking view of Waikiki and diamond head from afar. So, so, beautiful. I had to go to the bathroom immediately so they take me there and I go in and the toilet opens up as soon as I walk in the stall. I sit down on a heated and delightful toilet seat and handle my business. Weirdest experience ever. I ever tried the front sprayer, not gonna discuss that experience. Anyways, for appetizer we ordered the foie gras, which I never had before so I was super excited. It was amazing with the brioche and tasted like butter. We also ordered the Caesar salad to split. Amazing house made dressing. Appetizer and salad already a 5 star experience. My husband orders the lamb chops, and I order the shrimp basil scampi. I take a bite out of my pasta and it catches me off guard how bland it is. There's no salt on the table, because of course... 5 star restaurants NEVER have salt on the table. My husbands lamb chops were pretty good, but they didn't seem medium rare like he ordered. I was scared to ask for salt because I felt like that was super rude, so my husband did. it made a big difference. The whole dining experience was great until the entrees came out. Appetizers, salad, atmosphere, service, and bathrooms get 5 stars from me. I probably will never go there again, but I'm glad I did. Overall it was a great experience.

Hildz R.

Very classy & comfortable. Love the live music. Enjoyed the evening view of downtown. I can't wait to come here during the day :)

Russel M.

This review is only for HH. THe View is amazing and one of the best in Honolulu. Prices are reasonable for HH and Service is with a smile. Valet Parking only.

Will L.

Usually these uppity places with great ocean views have an inverse relationship with the quality of food (similarly the same opposite principle for hole-in-the-walls), but not here. I took my wife last night to spend our 14th anniversary dinner there, and the staff at 53 really made it as perfect as it could be. We first drove up to the complimentary valet parking area, entered through the ginormous double doors, and checked in. The place is elegant: 53 has its signature staircase (I was waiting for Cinderella to walk down) and high ceilings providing for a very regal atmosphere to begin. This is definitely not a place you wear your "Locals" slippas (I think Longs has a sale two pairs for $5 by the way -- that was a freebie, you're welcome). When making my reservations two weeks ago, I noted that it was our anniversary, so they sat us at a table with a love seat that faced the Kakaako harbor and Waikiki. It was just an amazing setting with the near full moon in over some of the Kakaako landscape as well as a clear view of Diamond Head. The menu is concise and simple, which I don't mind so long as the limited choices are good. There is a prix fixe wine pairing menu but we declined that option. They bring out a house bread sampling of three breads (very warm Hawaiian sweet bread, walnut and sourdough -- all very fresh). We started with the mushroom risotto and it was fantastic; perhaps the best item of the night. The risotto came out piping hot, soft, with a nice mushroom sauce that made it decently flavorful and creamy. There were also plenty of sauteed mushrooms added in. I love a good risotto and again, this to me was the highlight of the meal. My wife ordered the fresh catch, which was the mong chong, and I ordered the Chilean sea bass. The filet of mong chong had good constitution, a tinge of flavor, and plated nicely with grilled string beans and grape tomatoes. My Chilean sea bass was fresh, completely soft and nicely complimented with bok choy and a salsa dressing, with a light shoyu sauce base. We added some more sauteed mushrooms as a side order because, we really like mushrooms. The house cabernet sauvignon complemented the dinner nicely. The service from the very moment we stepped in was diligent, respectful and appropriate (i.e. not suffocating). We could hear the live piano music from their lounge, yet overall it was a quiet and peaceful atmosphere, and with the backdrop of a nearly full moon, it was really quite exquisite. The dining room was nearly packed but 53 somehow maintains a quiet, dark backdrop which does not make the place feel busy or bustling (definitely not what we were looking for tonight). Finally, they provided us with a complimentary anniversary cake and ice cream, which went well with the latte I ordered. It capped off a near-perfect dining experience. What struck me was that I was completely full by the end of the meal, which I cannot say often for places like these. I was a little hesitant at taking my wife here, because I expected the hype of the strategic location and the built-in cost of doing business at such a luxurious property to make for some uninspiring food and service. However, my pre-conceived notions were completely altered, and I found that considering the many factors required to make for a pleasant anniversary dinner on a weekday, 53 exceeded my expectations. I would highly recommend it for a quiet, special evening.

Kristian L.

I've seen a few of my friends who ate here and decided it would be the perfect place to take my husband for his birthday dinner and I made it a surprise! From beginning to end, it was PERFECT! Complimentary valet parking. It beautiful pictures at the fountain in front of the restaurant. It felt like we were entering a castle. The front desk person was so nice as well as the person who escorted us to our beautiful ocean view as requested for my birthday boy! Our server was also nice and kept coming back to refill our waters. We ordered the crab cakes as our appetizers. It was delicious! For our main entree my husband had their 12oz ribeye steak and I had the filet mignon and lobster tail. We were too full for desert, but everything on the menu looked so good. However, they did surprise my husband with a complimentary cake desert. I totally recommend this place! They have amazing customer service and great food! We definitely return again.

Paul B.

Third time. Doing great job with everything. Looking forward to return. We are planning a company function. The service and food was so good have to return with all my staff to enjoy. On certain nights you get a spectacluar few of fireworks over the ocean and the view is awesome!!!!

David S.

Sophisticated Elegance With A View I have dined here a few times and always left satisfied. The food is well prepared and served with professionalism that is rarely experienced. The building is stunning and the dining room sublime. There are some older, established restaurants in Honolulu but none are better than this. A must visit when in the Islands. Bon appetite.

Mikki J.

Service, server and view were great. Food was overpriced blech. Surf and surf was what I ordered...if you like butter and garlic...its fine. Shrimp were overcooked and the crab was the division of a single leg. The potatoes could have been out of a box. Disappointed.

John G.

Not sure if we were there on an off nite. Ambiance and location is amazing. That being said the food quality was average at best. The service was slow, not coordinated, and lacked many basic things.....like black pepper on a salad to start! Overall not sure this is anything but a wonderful location with a great remodel.

Paul A.

Me and my partner took my sister here for her birthday and it was a really lovely evening. The service was excellent, starting with the valet, to the hostess who offered to take our picture on their grand staircase, to the waiters - all friendly and helpful. The food was all delicious and they served the best mai tais we had in Hawaii. We ended up spending about $100 per person including drinks and desert, but it was well worth it. It's a lovely space with a nice view of Waikiki. Highly recommend.

Jonathan R.

Good but pricey... We ordered the escargot stuffed mushrooms, soup of the day (a sweet Maui onion soup), the mahimahi, and sea bass Hong Kong style. Ah... And for dessert we had the coconut creme brulé. The food was good and tasty all around. The highlight was the escargot which was in a very mild spicy tomato base sauce. Personally I enjoy escargot but of course many are turned off by snails, but I encourage everyone to try new things and this is one of the best ways to try em... Because they are not soaked in butter and cheese which almost negates the taste of the escargot. The least tasty was the onion soup which was salty and had no depth in flavor. The ambiance was alright. They have a nice view of Waikiki especially at night. Though the drive up to this location is less so. Make sure to lock your doors. The price for the for mentioned above along with two drinks was roughly $150. A bit pricey for the amount and quality of food. Though we didn't leave hungry. I would recommended locals to try this place at least once, especially for a birthday or anniversary, and decide if they wish to return. I personally enjoyed my visit here but will probably not go again.

Lillian H.

This is not just a restaurant, it's an experience. Nowadays it is not easy to find a really classy establishment, where the food and staff and ambience are all just top notch. This place has it all in spades. Just a beautiful building to begin with. Driving up its already impressive, but the grand entry way is just breath taking. I felt like a schlep walking in. We were greeted and seated promptly. Our little booth was cozy and had a lovely view of the water and Diamond Head. We began with cocktails. I had this delicious rose flavored strawberry concoction. I can't remember what it was called but it was delicious. My only regret is it comes in a only half full champagne flute.. It's a pricey little cocktail.. There really should have been more in the glass for the price. We enjoyed the bread and butter while waiting for the Surf and Surf. Which was absolutely delicious and so nicely presented. We ordered the haupia creme brulee and we were surprised with this lovely cake inscribed Happy Anniversary. Which was also delicious. This was a wonderful night out. And a wonderful meal.

Lyn L.

Having gone to John Dominis over the years, I was excited to see what 53 by the Sea had to offer....as other Yeeps noted when you drive up it is MASSIVE...like we arrived in Europe! We were seated and everyone was pleasant....the food was fresh, but we thought not imaginative!.....the cold seafood platter for two was excellent at $59...really fresh and nice pieces....the tomato bisque sells for $20....errrrr, I'm not paying $20 for a bowl of soup.... We settled on the seafood platter and the crab cakes (those were pretty good)...I then had the Chinese style Chilean Sea Bass and my husband had the Surf and Surf (grilled shrimp and king crab)...Like I said, food is nice and fresh, but nothing really exciting and terribly overpriced. They kindly gave us a complimentary strawberry shortcake with Happy Anniversary and we ordered the chocolate cake...they were good... All in all, too expensive for what we got....I think Alan Wong's is still a much better choice...or even Hy's Steakhouse...

Bryson L.

We dined here for my birthday which was on Memorial Day and I have got to say it was a wonderful evening! My date and I shared a romantic sunset dinner looking out toward Ala Moana Beach Park and Diamond Head as it's backdrop. The Lantern Ceremony was happening at the same time so the views and ambiance of the location was awesome! We shared the Seafood Showcase which featured a "sampler" of King Crab, Oysters, Sashimi, and Maine Lobster. The presentation was spectacular! With my date downing Oysters and the pianist playing "All of Me" by John Legend this night was on it's way to EPIC-ness :p For our main course we shared the Miyazaki Wagyu Filet Mignon and the 53's Mushroom Chicken. This was to experience fine dishes and not to satisfy hunger. Why did I mention that? Because the Wagyu Filet Mignon is a 3oz cut! If you want to experience premium beef and don't mind a hefty price tag I will confidently recommend this dish. Cooked to perfection and buttery soft this is by far one of the best steaks I have ever eaten. However, if you are hungry, pick another menu item, like the 53's Mushroom Chicken. This was very delicious and I would definitely order this again. Cocktails, Dessert and a 20yr Tawny also complimented the evening making this the most memorable birthday I have ever had. The location, service, food, views and ambiance are all incredible! And make sure to take pictures on their grand staircase! :)

Clarissa M.

Father's Day Lunch here was great. Beautiful scenery and great wait staff. Attentive and efficient. Food was delicious. We tried the tiger shrimp salad, point panic crab sandwich, ribeye baguette sandwich, and the special pasta of the day (see pic). The amuse bouche was an added treat - tasty tiny mouth bite size apps. Another added treat was the dessert (see pics) and the ladies got home made sorbet which was so tasty! We had such an enjoyable experience the family wants to try the dinner menu.

K K.

We went to celebrate a birthday. The restaurant and view are breathtaking. Too bad the service and the food were not at the same standard. Phil was our waiter. Not pleasant, no smile, didn't come to check on us much ... He didn't even say happy birthday when he brought the birthday dessert. Not what you would expect at that class of restaurant. The busboys and the valet were nice and provided good service. The manager didn't stop by to check on how we were doing although he was standing nearby most times. The piano player was excellent. The food needs work. The crab cakes were good. The ribeye steak was tough. The filet mignon dry. It looked as if it was sitting for a while. The pasta seasoning didn't taste right. The shrimp with the surf and surf was over cooked. The mushroom risotto was tasteless. Unacceptable for the prices. The breads, mango butter, and strawberry shortcake were dreamy. The pastry chef is stellar.

Larissa I.

Last night was my second time going to this beautiful restaurant. Smitten by my dinner choices from the previous visit, I ordered the same dish; the filet mignon with king crab legs & mashed potatoes. However, I was very disappointed with the drastic downgrade in taste of everything on my plate. The steak was a bit tougher, the sauce was too sour and overpowering, the crab legs tasted fishy and the sauce they were covered in was too liquidy and bland, very different from the rich butteryness I once had. But on the bright side, their chicken caesar salad and lemonade crab cakes tasted just as delicious as the first time! My date's dish, the shrimp scampi, was good too but very rich in flavor. With that being said, my feelings are left pretty neutral towards this place. The next visit will determine if 53 is still one of my new favorites or not. We'll see (;

Ryoko T.

First impression was WOW! Such a nice view!!! Could see the diamond head from the table which was so amazing. Service was very very impressive! We were treated very well and all of our foods were very tasty. This restaurant made my family very happy and making great memory for the last day in Hawaii! I will definably recommend 53 By The Sea for any special occasions!! Also....their short cake was seriously great!!!!!!! If you love cakes, you should try it!!!

Erik H.

I don't think the prices are worth the food or service. I wasn't blown away by the crustacean sandwich. It seemed a bit small and not filled that much with the seafood spread. I guess if you're into "fine dining" and overspending on food, this is the place for you. Otherwise, there's a lot of other places you could go to and get way better food. Going back to the service, it was good, but I wasn't blown away by it.

bimi a.

Excellent food and service, and a spectacular view to boot. Have only been there for lunch, and menu is not large, but the variety is there. Portions, at least for me, are very ample. It may be pricey, but appetizers and dessert are included so I don't mind it all. Parking is a breeze. Will definitely be back.

Dons A.

At first, taken by the location, location, location as the former John Dominis offered excellent food, ambiance, service and local aloha spirit. 53 by the sea falls short on hospitality. The Japanese are polite, value quality and have cleanliness locked down. They lack aloha spirit. Thus, the food was fresh, hot, delicious and quality ingredients resemble their sister restaurant Taormina. We enjoyed the freshly made pasta, salads, lobster bisque, lobster, risotto (fell short), rib eye, escargot and desserts. Honestly, Donato's risotto is my standard so this one fell short due to lack of creamy texture and silkiness. Definitely have the housemade pasta. The lobster is a must have. The atmosphere is pretty and who doesn't enjoy the Diamond Head view with the Pacific Ocean?!? After dark, the city lights are beautiful as well. Clean restrooms, dining area and no complaints on the servers as they appear clean as well. The one thing missing was that when we dine out, we do enjoy warm, pleasant service. Taormina offers this. John Dominis treated us well. This place is like dining in Europe. They are seen and not "heard". I suppose most customers appreciate this. We are not fans of this. Locals know what I mean...yes, you can dress us up, have us pay for quality and enjoy a 4 hour meal. We long for a smile and a "mahalo". 5 stars for location, food, experience, service, ambiance and restrooms. 3 stars for warmth, aloha spirit

Jimin T.

went for lunch. had pasta... VIew is nice that's it.

Rebecca Sarang H.

5 people went there and we spent $475, but compare with price, food was awful. Oyster was not fresh, we couldn't eat. And special pasta was $50, but it was very dry and no taste. I don't recommend people to spend couple of hundred dollars. I don't want to go there again.

Kris F.

Went here to celebrate Valentine's Day, set course and high prices. I saw our waiter twice throughout the night, when he took my drink order and dropped off the check. Not once was I asked if I wanted another cocktail and my water glass sat empty for over 10 minutes. For some reason at my table our 6 course meal came out so slow, in fact so slow that the table that sat down AFTER us finished their ENTIRE 6 course meal, paid, and left before us! While we were still waiting for the rest of our expensive food to be brought out. I asked to speak to the manager to express my frustrations, and for some reason I was given the Japanese speaking manager who had no idea what I was saying. He repeatedly said sorry and he just left. There were many empty tables around us so it was not a full house. For the price we paid I was not happy with the service at all.

Trish P.

Mother's Day Lunch! i made this reservation a couple months in advance, just to be sure i'd get a spot for this day.... my mom has been dying to go here. lunch comes with an amuse bouche of crab salad on cracker, pesto scallop, arugula salad, salami and a deviled egg: ( yelp.com/biz_photos/53-b… ). mom got their crustacean club - $35 (with lobster, crab, bacon, avocado, tomato, lettuce, remolade): yelp.com/biz_photos/53-b… Dad got their Ribeye baguette sandwich - $33 (ribeye, roasted tomato, chive mornay spread, balsamic onions on toasted baguette): yelp.com/biz_photos/53-b… I got their Point Panic crab sandwich - $29: (crab, bacon, avocado, red onion, remolade on toasted focaccia with seasoned fries) yelp.com/biz_photos/53-b… everything was pretty tasty..... but also, a little awkward to eat. mom's sandwich was too big for her mouth so she had to smash it a bit... mine was a open faced sandwich so i wasn't sure (b/c this is supposed to be fine dining) if i should use a fork and knife, or if i should just pick up the thing like a pizza.... same situation with dad's food, but he opted to use his hands. the crab sandwich i had was very good, despite my eating inadequacies - it has lots of real crab, delicious avocado, BACON.... and the seasoned fries were pretty good too. dessert also comes with lunch. they had a raspberry sorbet the other day that was refreshing, and not too sweet: yelp.com/biz_photos/53-b… they also gave my mom a rose for mother's day! she was impressed! Definitely a top choice to take Mom for Mom's day!

Ashley S.

We went here to celebrate a close friends' departure from the island and from the second 53 by the Sea was suggested the whole group was very excited. As locals, there are only a few true fine dining experiences on the island, and 53 by the Sea had a reputation... They proved tonight that a great location, incredible decor, and extraordinary wine list does not warrant a reputation of excellence. From the second we walked in the door our party and I were profiled as second class citizens. Despite the fact that each person in our large party ordered AT LEAST an appetizer, an entree, and THREE drinks the treatment of my party never improved. Our table had two servers, and at no point during the experience were these two on point. We heard the specials from each of them, independent of each other, and they asked each person twice which drinks they would like. During the meal, the appetizers were great, credit is due there, and that is why 53 is receiving two stars in this review; special nods to the clam chowder, foie gras, and lobster bisque. After the appetizer course, an uncomfortable dining experience really started to fall apart even more. Twenty five minutes after our emptied appetizer plates left the table, half of the entrees arrived at the table, it took at least 4-5 more minutes for the remaining plates to arrive. Of the 9 entrees that were ordered FIVE were stone cold. Not just lukewarm, but cold. We sent four of the five dishes back, as one of the members of our party was hungry and didn't want to wait longer. A few short minutes later the serving staff returned with the plates holding them with napkins as if they were hot, spoiler: they were not. In fact my plate actually LOST food as it was reheated. My handful of king trumpet mushrooms turned into 2 slices and my asparagus were raw still after being just charred on the grill, salt nowhere to be found on the plate. Oh and the scallops were burnt. The others were just as bad. Tiger shrimp so over cooked you could hear the rubber like squeaking between your teeth. The manager or maitre d' came over to check and we were just so hungry and disappointed no one said anything except one. At this point this man tried to tell us that the dishes had been prepared fresh after we had returned them and he didn't know why they were still cold. Long story short they remade one dish fresh to go and charged everyone else for everything they'd ordered despite being told that we were being brought "some appetizers" while we waited for our reheated food to come back to us. $1000+ later the group has unanimously decided that the hype was undeserved and next time we'd much rather spend $1000 at Pig and the Lady where we're sure to have an excellent meal.

Yuko A.

I really wish the food lived up to the beauty of this magnificent restaurant. Without a doubt, it has one of the most stunning views in town. The prices of all the dishes were high, understandable seeing as the rent for the restaurant must be ridiculous. We started off with the cold seafood appetizer which is meant to be shared between 2 people. yelp.com/user_local_phot… Literally, there was 2 slices of everything. I understand that raw seafood is not cheap but I felt a little gipped. We ordered the mushroom stuffed escargot. yelp.com/user_local_phot… I really didn't find them anything special. You didn't get to savor the escargot as the mushroom and sauce overpowered it. I prefer simple garlic and butter escargot any day. My sister and I decided to just share appetizers so we also ordered a simple caprese salad. Fresh but again, nothing special. Thank god they served bread - I probably ate a loaf as a filler. Whoops. The only thing I found odd was that they served sweet bread....but no butter. Of course you could eat it by itself but a little butter rather than olive oil would be perfect. Our friend ordered the seafood pasta - good thing shes a kind sharer, because we definitely were not full from our appetizers. We ordered a few drinks - $12/cocktail. If you like wine, they have a massive wine list. Would I come back? If it was for happy hour, maybe but I don't think I could justify paying so much for an only okay meal. They have changed chefs so hopefully the food improves. Service was top notch, just as it should be at a fine dining restaurant so hurrah for that.

Harry Y.

Took the wife and daughter to lunch to celebrate a special occasion. The view is spectacular and the food is quite good.

Brandy W.

holy smokes! I must have made the best new friends to invite me to this swanky mansion! Wait it's a restaurant, no way. they even have a three car garage! wait, it is? ok awesome I'm coming here all the time! They will take your car away as a complimentary service as you enter through the solid wood 15 foot double doors. You will notice that expansive staircase shown as the storefront picture. To your right is the hostess podium. You pretty much have to get a reservation. There is no way around it if you want a real table. We had to change our reservation last minute and was forced into the bar. This would be fine except the pianist and lounge singer is very loud. You won't be able to carry a conversation. We started with a prosciutto and cheese plate. It came with prosciutto, roast beef, salami, pecorino cheese and olives. It was very filling for 4 women and a very pregnant 5th. They also brought out a variety bread basket with our own individual oil and vinegar dipping saucers. I highly recommend the walnut bread and ciabatta with the oil and vinegar. The hawaiian sweet bread if better on its own. I ordered the opakapaka. It was served with a taro puree. It was a perfect size for me, but may not have been enough for a larger man. I would suggest ordering a side, a soup/salad, or a larger dish if you are hungry. For cocktails, I ordered the rossini. I thoroughly enjoyed the refreshing champagne mix, but my companions did not enjoy the bellini. Apparently it is their version and the bitters counteracts the taste. I also tried my friend's filet mignon. The rub was fantastic and although it was well done, it was still quite tender. We shared the mashed potatoes. Honestly, I was not impressed. I could not tell whether it was homemade or not. For dessert, we had the chocolate cake and tiramisu. The cake was a bit too rich for me, but so was the tiramisu. Even with a date I think the dessert cannot be finished when shared. When you arrive on a Friday, they turn off all the lights to watch the fireworks. It honestly is the best view of Waikiki and diamond head. The bathrooms are meant to be visited. Each stall has a toto smart toilet with a panel I was too shy to even play around with. Do not be deterred by the homeless you must pass to get there. They need the business to stay open!

Kristen K.

The absolute best place to eat on Oahu ever! Love the place and atmosphere! Very romantic and service was just as amazing as the food we ate! Made the birthday dinner one to remember and we will definitely be back soon!

Sharon N.

I have mixed feelings about this place. It's terrible of me, but I am comparing to John Dominis as this place took over the property. I really shouldn't do that, but I can't help it. I loved John Dominis, and my parents, husband, and I would frequent this place. Like "What do you feel like tonight?...I dunno. Maybe John Dominis?...Okay, let's go." kinda thing. Driving up into the this driveway definitely has much more appeal than JD. It's like driving into the driveway of some gigantic, elaborate mansion on Hawaii Loa Ridge or something. The building is spectacular. Front doors, foundations, etc. Then, you open the huge iron double doors and...BAM! Staircase. Gorgeous! You walk to the side to get seated, and THE VIEW! Always loved JD's view of Diamond Head and the surfers on the nearby beaches. The servers are very attentive. I couldn't help but feel like I was dining in some rich person's house, though. Friendly staff. We ordered a bunch of different things. My husband ordered the bisque. Oh my! Was that tasty or what? Savory, rich taste! I had ordered a salad. Nothing special in taste. It was all presentation for sure. The plating at this place is pretty class. That's for sure. My mom ordered the scallops. Cooked to perfection. My dad ordered the sirloin, if recall correctly. My husband ordered this sea bass! That a good dish. I ordered my usual filet mignon and lobster. The steaks we ordered we nicely seasoned and cooked just right. When you order lobster, don't be shocked when they give you a small sauce plate with lobster meat. I guess they de-shell it for you. We were wondering what that was when they served it to us. It was a bit...different. The food was good, but for the price you pay I would expect it to be phenomenal. Maybe it was just we ordered. The food is definitely plated well. We had gone right before sunset. So we could still get some daylight and admire the view. I'd give this place another shot. Maybe for lunch next time. I definitely would consider throwing a lunch or dinner party in one of the rooms upstairs. My parents were impressed when I told them they had such a service available. 3 1/2 stars but gonna round down, because it's misleading for me to say 4 stars. I'll still go back and try it out, again. Very nice place.

Shelly N.

Great experience! Came here for my birthday on a week night. It wasn't very crowded, which was nice. Live piano music was soothing, and so good, I thought it was a recording at first!! Had an excellent table with a great view, only the weather was voggy. Would've been much better if the sky was clear, but no one has control over that! Valet was super nice and offered to take the picture in front if the grand stair case :)

Annie K.

Dear 53 By The Sea, It was an amazing dinner. My friend brought me here to celebrate my birthday. Although it had already past, it was still a special night. As I walked out of the car, I felt like a princess. The host opened the door and greeted us with a smile and a welcome. We had late dinner reservations so we had some drinks at the lounge. The lounge music was great and set the mood. I ordered this drink off the menu, something bellini (for the life of me, I can't remember the name), but it was the most girlie drink that I've had in a very long time. It was pink, it was bubbly, and it came in a tall slender glass. Amazing. As we were seated at our table, we had an ultimate surprise. Fireworks. The lights dimmed and it was a perfect view of the fireworks. Who wouldn't feel special with fireworks as a birthday gift. :) It wasn't the normal Friday Hilton fireworks so yes, it seemed amazing to me. I hardly ever order lamb chop but that night, the lamb chops were calling me from the menu. I'm so glad I did. It was the most delicious piece of lamb - so tender, so juicy, so wonderful. My friend had a seafood pasta dish. Next to him, I was little Miss Piggy. My plate was spotless. I had a couple of glasses of chardonnay to complement my meal, too. And yes, I had dessert. I ordered creme brulee. I was a bit surprised of the creme brulee. It didn't seem too done, just wasn't set. Yet, I still ate it all. I think I was SOOOOO stuffed that I was delirious. The night was unforgettable. With all the smiling servers and polite etiquette, my night a memorable birthday dinner. Thank you so much for a fabulous, fun, and filling experience. A Princess Experience

C P.

Lunch was amazing! Loved my Jidori chicken Caesar salad and the amuse bouche was a lovely surprise. The view is the same that I knew and loved from the old John Dominis years ago, but the interior is so much nicer now. I can't remember what my lunch buddies had, but we were all delighted with our meals. I was so pleased that I'm planning to celebrate my 20th wedding anniversary there!

Janda D.

Two Stars for the scenery Food was over priced, and not very good. Went here for our anniversary. The service is good, but I won't be returning.

Inj K.

We choose to celebrate our biggest days of the year for the beautiful view of mountains and ocean, the exceptional service provided, the delicious food , and the 7:45p fireworks across the way on Fridays. Our latest reservation, for what I thought was for a party for 2, was to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday where he then proposed to me in front of our family and friends, by secretly scheming with Manager Cheryl two months prior. The party that was meant for 2 turned into a party of 40 adults and 10 children! Along with Cheryl, we would like to thank Yuki and Daniel for being great bartenders, Devin for his excellent service, and Christian for taking care of our cars at the valet. We are now looking forward to having our wedding at 53, where it all started.

Chelsea N.

Upscale. Fine Dining. When I went, the restaurant was completely empty which was amazing. It was probably because we arrived a little early for dinner. If you ask anyone about this restaurant, then one of the first things they'll mention is the view. The location is spot-on. With the full length windows, you can see Diamond Head and the shoreline of Waikiki. Diners are greeted and attended to with the most attentive, professional, and charismatic servers. I would not recommend this place for children under ten, especially if they are usually rowdy. Even when more people started to be seated, the restaurant was still decently quiet. Eating at 53 By The Sea is a pleasure for almost all the senses. Along with the spectacular view, the plating is sensational. If you are looking for a restaurant that will complete the ideal intimate date, then I'd definitely suggest 53 By The Sea. Other than that, arrive prepared with a heavy wallet.

Scott K.

The filet mignon is outstanding and you can't beat the ocean view. A perfect place to impress your date or to make your wife happy. :-)

Michelle J. C.

Absolutely...amazing. We ordered a mojito, red wine, maine lobster and filet mignon, the fresh catch, fresh oysters, foie gras, and the sorbet dessert. One comment is that I thought the lighting was too dark. It made me sleepy... The host was really nice and took our pic on the stairs. I LOL-ed when she said, "Don't worry, I do this all the time. I know all the right angles." She should be promoted to house photographer haha

Terry K.

Great Expectations Been here for cocktails and great sunset views a few times. Finally, a dining experience, without reservations at that. I think the novelty of a new restaurant has worn its luster out as there were no lines breaking down the doors...no jammed packed parking lots and bustling valets... Lots of empty tables though. Maybe, it was an off night. Maybe, there were many other activities going on in the city....maybe...maybe.... The food was less than desirable sorry today. I am a medium rare meat and fish eater. It bothered me that a restaurant of their level of prestige and price tag delivered a MEDIUM more like MediumWell meat! YUK! Mentioned this to the server who reluctantly offered to get it redone, explaining it will take time and my dining partner may be done with his meal by the time my meal came out..... What more can I say? 3rd star given for decor and as Lori I said you 'you must see their restrooms!!! And holding the 3rd star I place , naturally, the panoramic view of the city!! Both no fail reasons to,like this place, For cocktail hour? Pricey, but if you want view and ambience- this is your place to impress!

Brett I.

this is one of those examples where "expensive" does not always meaning "good" or "better." To be sure, I did not come here for a full-on dinner, but I came here with friends for appetizers, dessert, and for general fanciness. But even so, I wasn't particularly thrilled by the food. Honolulu, for its size and being on an island, has a really good food scene, including higher-end dining. And you could do much better at other places of similar ambitions and price points. Green tea mousse dessert was pretty whatever. What showed their amateurishness was that they had some sort of mango and strawberry sauce (a gelée, if you will) around the plate. Even though it was arranged prettily, that's all it was--prettily arranged sauces. Maybe it was there purely for decoration, but it should've served some functional purpose as well, because green tea doesn't match taste-wise with strawberry and mango; perhaps a taro or coconut-based gelée would have been better. Or perhaps no sauce at all and choose a more creative way of decorating the plate. Coconut creme brûlée was recommended by the waitress. Taste-wise, this was fine. I like coconut, I like creme brûlée, it was fine. For what you pay and the whole level of fanciness they wish to create, "fine" just seems underwhelming, though... Seafood appetizer. Oysters, hamachi sashimi, crab legs, maine lobster. Served on a platter with dry ice underneath to make it look all smoky and fancy, I guess. Maybe I'm not an oyster connoisseur, but to me the oysters that night tasted a tad fishy. Ugh, I hate sounding all snobbish and what not (hence i hardly write bad or lukewarm reviews), but it's just frustrating knowing that you can probably get similar or better-tasting and/or more creatively presented food at less fancy restaurants. By the way, I know this isn't 53's fault, but it's really sobering to drive by so many homeless tents on the way to the restaurant. I had never been to 53 before (nor had I even been to the wharf area of town) and so I had no idea how the area looked. But it's so strange how opulent the outside of the restaurant looks, especially in contrast to the sad sight of rows of tents lining the roads leading up to 53. It was just difficult to shake that image even after arriving at the restaurant. Maybe that affected my dining experience. Or maybe not. I don't know. Still, it's really sad... That said, in addition to the whatever food, the drive to the restaurant may be reason enough not to take friends or family who are visiting from the mainland, especially if they're visiting Hawaii for the first time.

Maria G.

French inspired, local based cuisine. Great for a special night out. Ãœber romantic with mood lighting and a piano man Thurs-Sun. The food is superb, service top notch. It's pricey, hence why it's nice for special occasions. The bar itself is a well kept secret. My hubby and I like to go here on random nights, sip a nicely made cocktail at the bar and share an app.

Joy N.

Ok, just tried out this place for lunch and it definitely gets another star for their lunch service! The view is absolutely breathtaking during the day! Their lunch menu is much smaller than dinner, but they have great variety! I ordered the homemade meat sauce pasta and really enjoyed it! Another plus side of their lunch service is that they give you an appetizer to start with. Mine was a platter of small bites, which consisted of: shrimp cocktail, turkey spread on cracker, salami/cheese and caprese. At the end of the meal, they also serve you dessert (wish you could select from options tho!). I brought my friend, who's a vegetarian, to the lunch and I wanted to point out how the staff really helped make this a great experience for both of us.. I had given them a heads up when I made the reservation since there was no vegetarian options on the menu, but they assured me that they would be able to accommodate us. It's still a pricey lunch, but I feel it's so much more worth it than dinner. Will definitely keep this place in mind for nice business lunches or to celebrate a special occasion!

Watah H.

had the 7 course prix fix menu for $150. Ordered a bottle of Dom...The view is why this place even works. The fois gras and the scallop was good everything else was crap. Like i said, the view from the ceiling height windows is what makes this place....Was it worth $500 and change? No way.

Jake T.

This is high end fine dining. Not for folks who don't appreciate and are willing to pay for it. The service was amazing. Mahlia was looking after us and she did a wonderful job. Nothing was to much and she explained everything well. We tried the seafood extravaganza for entree and the crab was amazing along with sashimi and oysters. The weakest thing on the dish was the Maine lobster. We also had the foire gras, sauteed mushrooms and the scaloops. All were cooked to perfection. As it was our anniversary, we were presented with a beautiful dessert of strawberry sponge slice with 'Happy Anniversary' piped in chocolate. It was a wonderful touch to end the evening. Definitely will be visiting 53 by the sea again, this time it maybe a day event the views look just as spectacular!

Liz S.

The view and ambiance is unbelievable! My mother loved it when we (My husband, myself, my mom, and my son) came here for her birthday. The food was good, but I thought it was kind of expensive for 3 adults and a 8 year old (total around $300) and neither my mom nor I drink alcohol (just my husband). I was a little bummed that they forgot to give my mother a small complimentary dessert for her birthday cause that would have made her feel special. It was worth it to make my mom happy since she loved the view of the ocean, but I probably wouldn't return. 3660 is a better deal (esp if you buy the gift card at Costco!) and the food is better at 3660. Here, you are really paying for the beautiful view so if that's important to you then it's worth it.

Arianne C.

Unbelievable food. The drinks were amazing, appetizer seafood tower was incredible. I had the sea bass and it was the best I've ever had. It had an amazing flavor. The others in my party had the mahi, lobster and steak and we all left very happy.

Tony N.

Ate here for my girlfriend's birthday dinner, and I must say it was an awesome experience! They offer free valet parking and you are greeted into a mansion like restaurant. The staff here is very friendly and polite. Our server Devin, was very attentive and professional. He frequently checked up on us and refilled our waters quick. The view here is stunning considering from every table you have a beautiful view of diamond head. After we finished eating, the server brought us a birthday cake and someone on the piano played the happy birthday song. We also ordered the haupia creme brulee and it was fantastic. It was actually served in a coconut! Overall I recommend this place to anybody celebrating anniversaries/honeymoons or small birthday dinners. This place is the definition of fine dining. FIVE STARS!

Christel G.

I wanted to surprise my boyfriend with an extremely nice birthday dinner that would be elegant & most of all memorable. So I chose 53 By The Sea... I made reservations about 2 weeks in advance;which I was informed later that we needed to change the time & move it up an hour later (due to the bf's change of sched).... so when i called back (just 2 days prior to the res.) no problems at all. :]]] From beginning to end... it was AHHHMAZING!! We both individually ordered the prix fixe dinner which was a 7 course meal & absolutely incredible. The intervals between each course was presented with perfect timing, we didn't feel rushed at all when the server brought out our next entree. It was a nice pace. Our server was Devin... he was very friendly & attentive... he delightfully answered our few questions... also made a few wine suggestions. 10+ stars for Devin!! I would recommend requesting a window seat upon making reservations....we lucked out with the best seat in the house!! Gorgeous backdrops of Diamond head & the ocean... beeeeautiful panoramic views!! We extended our dinner with a couple of espresso...& shortly after, took a little step outside the back sliding door to explore the outdoor seating, just to take a few photos among the stars. :]]] It was magical. One of my boyfriends favorite parts about this place was the bathrooms, Lol something about a "Bidet on his B-day"... made it that much more....special?. hahaa Overall....we thoroughly enjoyed it. the experience here was like a fairy-tale... from the very moment you pull up to the valet to the very end....well we didn't want it to end,...so we will be back for sure!! :D Food, Service, Ambiance, Experience, Price, Parking..... ALL WORTH IT....5+ stars!!

Keri S.

There are many great dining spots in Honolulu, and many times it is so hard to choose. 53 by the Sea is new, so for our date night I surprised my husband with this for a dinner date. They are a newer restaurant so I wanted to give them a few months to settle in before trying. We drive up, and can you say gorgeous! It is a mansion with FREE valet parking. (Don't forget to be courteous and tip though.) The mansion itself awes you! My husband is 6'1 and the entry doors make even him look small! They open the gorgeous doors for you and you are promptly left speechless by their grand staircase! Oh my goodness, we fell in love with this elegant entry! The entire venue is to die for! Very clean, state of the art, and perfect for an impressive evening. The staff instantly greets you. They address you by name and ALWAYS make eye contact. We are seated with an AMAZING view of the ocean and city, simply PERFECT! They pull your chairs out and help you right in comfortably. Our waitress was Iris, and she was a doll! Her service didn't fall short for a second! She truly knew what it meant to cater to her guests. She was helpful with menu suggestions too. For an appetizer we ordered the escargot stuffed mushrooms. They come in a tomato based sauce, that has a hint of spice. We both liked them but it wasn't over the top delicious. They were $18 if I remember correctly. During this serving they also brought out TWO selections of bread with individual dipping bowls of olive and balsamic vinegar. This was very good, and the bread was made just right. The bread was also good to dip in the base sauce for the escargot stuffed mushrooms appetizer. As our meals we were both original as they were out of our first choice of the fish, Moi. Moi as many know is a very exquisite fish, eaten by the Alii of Hawaii in the ancient days, the fish of the elite. We do look forward to getting this on our next visit. So, my husband ordered the Filet Mignon and I the Rancher's Ribeye. We actually had to send my husbands back. All but about a small slice of cake portion was edible due to all the fat. We sent it back and literally it seemed like the entire staff came to apologize, and sincerely at that. They were VERY quick to correct! I have not seen this degree of customer service in a long time. As a matter of fact that is the main reason we will go back more and more! My plate was absolutely perfect! Oh my goodness, I could cut my perfectly prepared steak with a fork! It was so juicy and tender, I was in heaven. Each of our dishes was served with a small portion of mixed vegetables. It consists of a piece of broccoli, 2 carrot sticks, a pepper, and two green beans. If you want more sides they sell them ala carte. Due to the original poor steak on my husband's first plate, they gave free dessert. We had a sampler specially made by our waitress with each dessert type. There was tiramisu, fresh fruit, a pudding type with nuts, and there fruit bowl (LOOKED like salsa) topped with ice cream. The desserts, not very impressive. The tiramisu cake was drenched in a overbearing liqueur type. I think we would skip out on dessert, paid for or not on our next visit. OK, kind of weird, but their bathrooms are awesome! They are clean with state of the art gadgets. I love the woods stalls that are tall, not a crack as it's all privacy. The seats are automatic, they have rinsing, etc. It is that added touch to the already modern venue! Although we wouldn't consider the food "to die for," we would certainly go back. The service, location, and ambiance is amazing. The added romantic touch is the mellow live jazz musicians. This was certainly an exquisite experience that we look forward to doing again!

Janet K.

I'm not sure where to begin... Order the seafood appetizer for two. The seafood is fresh and it's large enough to share. Escargot stuffed mushrooms were good too. Entree - order the lobster linguine. I wish I did. I ordered the lamb chops and I was thoroughly disappointed. It came out overcooked! I ordered medium rare (the only way lamb should be eaten) and it came out medium well to well done. The end pieces were not pink at all! The flavor was okay but I didn't care for the mini roasted potatoes and ratatouille it came with. The Fresh catch that evening was a browned butter moi. Um hello??? Who are you kidding. That moi was not fresh, it was frozen! It didn't matter because it wasn't memorable anyway! Dessert - hot cream cheese honey pie and gelato was delicious! Tiramisu was okay but I didn't care for the lemon cake. Service was horrible!!!!! This is why I hate when they auto gratuity your party. It's like they have insurance on your table so they just cater to the party of twos and fours over you. Aye, if you gonna have your servers dress all fancy with their white gloves, you better make sure they're keeping my drinks filled at the very least! I just want to order more wine and finding someone to get that for me shouldn't be like pulling teeth! Oh, and they have the fancy fobby Asian guys walking around in their tight suits. Hey guy, are you a manager? I wouldn't know because you never came by the table and asked how we were doing. I know you saw me trying to make eye contact with you so I could get some service. I guess you don't speak English? Yeah yeah nice view, nice fancy ambiance, bidet in the bathroom blah blah! O V E R R A T E D ! ! !

Arthur G.

Awesome view, small expensive fancy portions with normal priced fancy drinks which is perfect for a romantic date with the wife. I recommend the sunset Paloma and the pineapple smash.

Richard H.

How could any restaurant replace a landmark like John Dominius, which was formerly the top restaurant in Hawaii (pre-Roy's, Alan Wong, and Sam Choy)? The new owner spared no expense in design, architecture, and the culinary expertise. They completely transformed the building into a two story building that provides a banquet reception area (for parties and weddings) as well as a dining experience that provides everyone in the restaurant with an ocean view. We made reservations several weeks in advance, and were treated to a side by side bench with a table, fronting the surf into the channel going into Keahi lagoon. Fortunately, we were seated just before sunset and watched the sky change from blue to orange/yellow. There is an walkway just outside your table, that allows patrons to walk outside and watch the sunset. Once the sunlight passes, it gets very dark and chilly outside the restaurant (bring a jacket or sweater). To start our meal, I ordered the Seafood showcase for $30. Great assortment of chilled seafood: Maine lobster, jumbo sized shrimp cocktail, scallops, oysters, and mussels. The platter comes with an Asian ponzu sauce and an American shrimp cocktail sauce. The seafood was incredibly fresh and I felt that this was under priced for the quality and quantity of these shellfish. For dinner, we both selected the By the Sea Spaghettini Fruti DI Mare for $26. More fresh, high quality seafood for a bed of thin pasta. Very tasty pasta sauce, not too salty for a seafood dish. I would describe the sauce and light and well balanced, tomato based sauce. They have an excellent wine list! Great assortment of Italian, French (very high end Burgundies and Bordeaux wines) and great lower end wines $32 for a bottle! Great quality and paired well with our seafood and entrees. I love their bar area! Great place to listen to live music and have a cocktail. This will be explored on my next visit.

Shigeru C.

This 5-star is strictly for my own lunch experience with this Crustacean Sandwich at this place! So, my 5-star is not guaranteed for any other food or dinner time. Haha! If you like crabs, shrimps, and lobster, this sandwich has it all, and oh does it have it all! If you are a crustacean lover you will NOT regret to go straight to this sandwich and nothing else (well, a glass of Chardonnay wouldn't be bad to go with it). Of course, the view is fantastic. But you know? If you are local, you've seen this before (John Dominis, maybe?). But this sandwich! I could easily be a repeater just for this. You wouldn't believe how much lobster, crab and shrimp meat they pile into this not-so-big sandwich!! Don't be fooled by its relatively not-huge size by American standard. This is yet so satisfying. I guarantee it. I beg you. Please try. And when you are satisfied and relaxed with a glass of wine, you can then hang loose and enjoy the Diamond Head view........ no worries.

Tiffinie K.

My bf's boss treated us to dinner here. They have a private parking and complimentary valet. That was good because we were running a little late. Come to find out, we were the last ones there. What...? Dinner reservations was at 5PM, and I had to get ready after work! Food and Drink - 3 stars. I had the pinot noir that was suggested, which was very smooth but quite a small portion. Another couple also invited to the dinner orders the tea, but she had to ask the server 3 times, with enough time in between I thought. We tried the seafood trio appetizer which came with cold scallop, lobser, 2 oysters, and raw fish. Thumbs up. I tried the opakapaka with sweet potato puree (see picture). It looked really good, but the taste was plain and the fish was somewhat hard. I think it was $30. Thumbs down. We tried the eggplant dessert which was surprisingly good. While the food was presented nicely, the taste did not meet expectation of a $$$ restaurant. Service - 2 stars. Since we were seated last, we didn't have champagne glasses, although the servers were pouring for everyone. After 2 refills, we had to ask for glasses. When I asked what the specials were (after he had told the front of the table), the lead server looked irritated, but told me the specials again. If 3-star food cost $30 for an entree, I Ambiance - 5 stars. The restaurant is clean, and I didn't notice if it was too noisy. They also have outside seating near the ocean. The bathroom was clean as well. The women's bathroom had toilets that had many types of cleaning and drying functions. The coolest part of the bathroom was when I opened the stall door, the seat lifted! I don't think I'd go there again just for the ambiance. Too expensive for the food taste. Also, several people who ate with us spent hours in the bathroom that night.

Stephanie S.

I was here for a wedding this past August, so I can only speak about the catered menu. I thought it would be rude to ask for vegan/vegetarian accommodations so I gritted my teeth and ate what was on the plate. There are few things one can't endure with unlimited glasses of a delicious red wine that I regret not getting the name of! The Sashimi Trio was a few slices of fish on a plate, which was nothing unusual. This was followed by the Hearts of Palm and Watercress Salad which was also fine. Seared Diver Scallops was next, which was nicely caramelized and actually pretty delicious. This was followed by a kind of white fish seared in brown butter, but was very overcooked and unbearably dry. I was surprised that a seafood restaurant would do the steak better than the fish, but the Petite Filet Mignon was cooked perfectly to my request of medium rare. Lastly, dessert was a Coconut Panna Cotta which was kind of like a Coconut-flavored custard jello, the best part of which was the Lilikoi (Passionfruit) sauce. The service was excellent, but the food was not up to my expectations. I was very impressed by the look of the place though, and another guest at the wedding told me it had been completely redesigned just a while ago. I have no idea what it looked like before, but the way it looks now is gorgeous and gives the impression of grandeur. Plus, if you're into huge curving staircases, this is the perfect place to make your entrance!

Tricia L.

Loved the ambiance, the decor, the atmosphere, the service, and the food! The servers are definitely on point. When I stepped away from my seat for a second, I would come back to my napkin neatly folded. I ordered the prix fixe menu, which has 6 courses. 1. Sashimi Trio - ahi, salmon, and hamachi were all fresh and presentation was beautiful 2. Heart of Palm & Watercress Salad - Dressing was light and citrusy, super delicious; but i wasn't a fan of the Daikon 3. Seared Diver Scallop - The scallop was delicious and took forever to eat (it's basically one BIG scallop) Intermezzo - yummy, fruity sorbet :P 4. 53's Fresh Catch - The fresh catch I had was a mahi mahi, which was cooked to perfection. I also subbed the squash out for asparagus and my goodness that was good; it was lightly seasoned with some salt 5. Petite Filet Mignon - I loved the marination on the steak and it was also cooked perfectly. But honestly, I think I'm more of a NY steak kind of girl 6. Coconut Panna Cotta - I loved the lilikoi and mango reduction, but I'm not a big fan of coconut. If i were, I would love this dessert.

Allison D.

I read the previous Yelp reviews and was hesitant to bring my boyfriend here for his birthday dinner. However, I decided that even if we had a bad experience, at least we would have a story to tell. But, the hesitation proved unnecessary; we had a lovely experience. We arrived for our 7pm reservation and we were promptly seated in a luxurious booth complete with pillows, facing the ocean and Diamond Head. The only problem: there was a large pole blocking our view. When our waiter arrived, I asked if we could move to a table with a better view; he promptly obliged and moved us to a table with a beautiful, unobstructed view. The service was superb; our waiter was very attentive and always ready with a suggestion if we needed it. We ordered: Lobster Bisque - delectable Potato Puree - I wouldn't call it a puree, it was pretty chunky and slightly bland 53's Fresh Catch - opah the day we dined, it was delicious 12oz Ribeye - medium to medium rare (per the waiter's suggestion), my boyfriend devoured it All of it arrived in a timely fashion, and it was all presented beautifully. I can't wait to go back and try their happy hour! Notes: Ambience: Romantic Service: Outstanding Price for what you get: About right Free valet parking

Jamila J.

This review is for private party service. Did it up big for my 30th Birthday! Amazing is the theme for this review. Planning and Prep, amazing. The manager was completely competent and helpful. Was able to contact over email to get menus to choose from and make inquiries. In addition, you can meet prior to your event to set up how you'd like your evening to proceed. If you choose to have wine, you can get suggestions and they can make sure they have what you want and/or need on hand. It truly is a collaborative effort to make your event what you like. The food, amazing. I chose a family style menu with about four different courses. People were amazed that food kept coming out. I was worried there wouldn't be enough, had leftovers for days. Not your typical classy place with portions smaller than your pinky. I was even able to customize the meal to make sure all my guest had food they liked. (FYI I'm a great host) The ambiance, amazing. Driving up to valet (complimentary) you feel liked you've pulled into a beautiful villa in Italy. It's breathtaking. As you walk in there's a beautiful staircase to the second floor where the private rooms. Great spot for pictures (Instagram much?). I checked what time the sunset, so I planned the dinner to start shortly before sunset, the view was of Kewalo Basin and Waikiki. A wall of floor to ceiling windows. You got all the great colors of a beautiful Hawaii sunset. As soon as the sun is down you have the Waikiki skyline all lot up. If you plan as well as I do and have it on a Friday, you get great seats to the Waikiki 7:00pm fireworks show. The staff even dimmed the lights to get a better view. The bathrooms, amazing. Japanese toilets, need I say more? They were an event, excursions were had. Overall, it was a great birthday enhanced by the wonderful staff, food and setting. Of course, this isn't a regular occurrence. But for a special occasion this is a great spot.

Cindy L.

Wow! That's a multi-million dollar structure! The old John Dominis is gone. The building was spectacular, with a grand entry way and a giant door that leads you to the grand staircase. The room was bright and decorated with white lilies, cymbidium orchids and roses. Once you walk in, you will see the stunning view of Ala Moana Beach and Diamond Head. I was excited to try the food since they use fresh local ingredients. Seafood platter ($30) - Half steamed lobster, kampachi sashimi, ahi sashimi, fresh oysters and seared scallop. Comes with two dipping sauce: soy vinaigrette and seafood tartar. Escargot stuffed mushroom ($18) - 5 pieces with a spicy meat sauce. The sauce was excellent with the variety of breads offered. Opakapaka with Okinawan Sweet Potato ($30) - Grilled nicely where it's crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, but a bit too salty. Atmosphere was fabulous, service was excellent, but the food fell a little short.

Liberty L.

The view of diamond head was breathtaking! Parking: We valeted the car but you can probably find street parking in that area. But beware, the area can be quite iffy. Nevertheless, the venue itself was magical! Food: - Escargot stuffed mushroom: it's just tomato sauce poured over mushrooms with snails. 3/5 - Ribeye 12oz: the portion looked small but it was delicious 4/5 - Surf and surf: again the portion was small and I wished they'd given me more shrimp 4/5 - lemonade crab cake: it was a bit dry and they only gave five pieces 3/5 - creme brûlée: the dessert looked pretty because it was in a coconut shell, but boy was it sweet! The whole top layer is sugar. Service: Our waitress was kind and attentive. The booth they have us was perfect because we got a clear view of diamond head.

Chris O.

Excellent, attentive service! Beautiful location and decor. My new favorite restaurant!

C-Dubs W.

My girlfriend was going on about this place, and yes it's awesome! Definitely a nice place to do lunch and a pretty good deal (your lunch entree includes a aperitif and desert, both of which are broke da mouth!). Definitely a 'date' kind of place.

Leigh N.

My first visit here sealed the deal for 53 By The Sea to be my new favorite Sunday brunch spot. Everything about this establishment is decadent. The view is amazing and dining during the day allows you to savor and appreciate the beauty. The service was impeccable. Our server was very knowledgeable, personable and his anticipation of our needs was outstanding. Loved the white glove service. The lunch menu is not overwhelming and entrees include an amuse bouche and dessert. Delicious! All courses were perfectly timed. Our entire meal was luxurious and relaxing. We had such an exceptional experience here I cannot wait to return!

K. D.

Amazing service and amazing staff! Thank you everyone to help celebrate my friend's birthday! I love the food and the drinks! Yummy

Chaz K.

The food was awesome, best lobster I had in forever!!! Loved the hot cake too so Ono!!!

Teri C.

Beautiful surroundings, exquisite food, white glove service. Best view of Diamond Head in Waikiki. A real gem!

Holly B.

We went for lunch because the dinner menu was really expensive! The drive and entrance to the restaurant are impressive, the waitstaff OK, the food OK. It took a while to get our food, and then we didn't get our entrees at the same time; some got their food and others had to wait for another 20 minutes or more after that! Won't be returning for dinner for the prices charged when the food is only OK. . .Nothing outstanding or inventive to look forward to.

Amara E.

For Talor M.'s last birthday, we opted for fine dining. We drove toward the Ward/Kakaako area headed for a restaurant that was formally John Dominis. As we drove along, we passed by industrial-looking buildings, saw a couple homeless folks and continued down the bumpy road. Could this really be the location for fine dining? When we reached the end of the road, we were shocked/lost/confused. Let me ask you this: Have you ever been to the French Riviera? Yeah, neither have I, but I imagine this place is what the villas there look like. The entrance is very imposing, with large white arches and a fountain that is illuminated at night. There is valet parking and a valet is there to greet you as you approach the entrance doors. Inside, I immediately noticed the high ceiling, white tile floors, a grand marble (-looking) staircase, and a large chandelier. Was I attending a function hosted by Mr. Jay Gatsby himself? The establishment alone builds a lot of hype, but is it justified by its food? We soon found out... We ordered: 1) Lobster bisque: A small soup appetizer to start us off. The soup was small, but creamy with a couple small chunks of lobster. The flavor was excellent and the presentation was fabulous. 2) Roasted lamb: Before I start this portion of the review, know that I am not a big fan of lamb. I don't like the aftertaste, but birthday boy LOVES his lamb. The meat came out over a bed of vegetables. The vegetables were underseasoned, particularly the mashed baby potatoes. It was difficult to bite into and I'm assuming whatever seasoning was added didn't have a chance to soak in to the veggies. The lamb was pretty tough and chewy. Not a fan of this dish. 3) Tiramisu: Very, very creamy cake. As in pure cream. I generally prefer a little more cake in my tiramisu, but it's all a matter of personal preference. Was it worth the price tag? No. Now why only 3 stars? Service and food. The interior and the lobster bisque really set our expectations high. We had assumed that each dish would just get better and better, but unfortunately, it was a let down. There was a huge waitstaff the day we were there, but we seemed to be receiving incredibly slow service. There were waiters walking back and forth, but not greeting or serving any guests. It also took them forever to bring out the food. I swear we waited at least an hour for food. It didn't seem like an especially busy night to be too pre-occupied to acknowledge customers, but I guess they had enough time to IRON their tablecloth. (Yes, I saw two guys ironing tablecloth together.) 53 by the Sea has a spectacular view of the water and an amazing facility. They could do so much more with this restaurant/wedding chapel if they worked on improving the quality of food and provided better training in customer service for their staff. They seem too fixated on the grandiose image of the restaurant, while overlooking critical components that build customer loyalty and bring people back to dine.

Rojan T.

Outstanding customer service. The food was delicious and well prepared. The scenery is the most attractive aspect of dining here. You can't beat the view of the pacific ocean and Diamond Head. It has the classic postcard look. The prices are a steep, but worth it.

Traci H.

One of the few restaurants that actually lived up to its hype. I had heard a bunch of good reviews for dinner and for the fancy toilets, but what finally got me was some comments that you have to try lunch because it was good food, good view, and a good value...can't take the chang-a-lang out of me sometimes. VIEW: you've seen it in other reviews, so I don't have to say much more. It's awesome, and is worth checking it out when there is daylight. I could also see how it could be interesting with the night lights too. Check it out. Picture perfect. PARKING: complimentary valet. Just tip them. There is a sign for valet parking as you turn into the big fancy Catalina feeling mansion... RESERVATIONS: Opentable or by phone. We just walked in. When I called they had said they weren't taking any more reservations but that they should have some walk-in tables. What happened was that they had a big event upstairs, so they didn't want to overload the reservations in the dining room. TOILETS: yes they are cool Toto toilets. I'm not a fan of all the bells and whistles and risking pressing a button and creating a huge water fountain. But I was impressed that as you approach the toilet, the toilet cover opens automatically. Ok, now for the last part... FOOD: I think they call it a Italian, Seafood, Hawaii-local restaurant. It's not a pure Italian restaurantt... For lunch, it's an awesome deal--you pay a certain amount for your main dish (~$19-$30) and it comes with a spread of appetizers and a dessert. What a good deal. The appetizers may change but we had a mixed plate of farfalle pasta salad, cold grilled marinated veggies, prosciutto/salami, some shrimp and aioli thing and a fish mousse. They roll out a cart of appetizers and then will plate it for you. Then the meals--we tried homemade pasta dishes. WOW. Yum. They don't have homemade spaghetti so I substituted homemade fettuccine with the 53 special meatsauce (it's just like bolognese). I actually tried to substitute tagliatelle, but it came out with fettuccine (perhaps they thought it would taste better). Yummy, down home bolognese sauce and perfectly cooked homemade pasta. Also had the shrimp scampi pesto tagliatelle. Too much food. Man. But I can't wait to go back. Dessert. Wow. Sounds simple and bland but Vanilla Panna Cotta with haupia sorbet. Sounded bland and blah but wow, it was absolutely light and incredible. I asked if they serve it on the regular dinner menu and they said no. Sigh. I guess I'll have to come back for lunch. I don't even like panna cotta! Ordered a plantation iced tea and they said it comes in a carafe. So it was $10 for the carafe, but it was about 5-6 glasses of it. And it was tasty! SERVICE: Super attentive and friendly service. I think our server was Nelson and he was knowledgeable, friendly, and overall made the experience really enjoyable. We sat in a loveseat table against the window. They have regular tables as well. But I really liked the loveseat table! There is a banquet room(s) upstairs but we didn't see it. DECOR/ATMOSPHERE: It has a totally classic and classy, without being stale and dark and overbearing. I love it. And I can't wait to be back. 31 Yelps #6

Shannon T.

Most romantic restaurant in Hawaii. Beautiful views of Waikiki w Diamond Head in the back drop. Awsome Escargot w mushrooms, lobster bisque, ribeye, moi, lemoncello cake & creme brûlée! Must come back!

Beth I.

I seriously love my job more when client business lunches allow me to dine like this. The whole experience for lunch averages to 4 stars and I've also been here for happy hour which also averages to 4 stars for different reasons. For lunch-- service is top notch 5-star service. Car doors, front doors, and toilet seats magically open before you and the services are warm and cordial. This is serious "be our guest" (think Beauty and the Beast) type service. Their white gloved service seems to be a bit much in Hawaii, but it does lend a fancy touch to the experience. All of their lunch items come with an amuse bouche of 4 tasty bites, your entree, and finishes with their house sorbet. I had the seared ahi salad and it was very average. Nothing special and the ahi was not fresh, but more dry even though it was only seared. The dressing was also bland. Perhaps I ordered the wrong thing, but for the price point, all lunch items should be excellent. My boss said the pasta was good, so perhaps at the next meeting I should go for that instead. The vanilla sorbet was delicious though. Really light and the fresh berries were sweet and the perfect way to end the meal. The views are another story. I could sit there basking in the noon day sun sipping an iced tea ALL day. Majestic views of diamond head and the surf breaks are wonderful and they definitely did a good job focusing on the view from every seat in that place. Happy hour-- On another visit, I had the crab cakes and the lobster rolls. Both were fantastic and beautifully plated. These were off the happy hour menu and were ordered and eaten at the bar. You would otherwise need to have reservations to have a table here, but if you're lucky you can grab any one of the dozen or so seats at their happy hour which starts at 4pm. Each pupu item is only 3-4 bites at the most and can easily be $20+ so you will spend a pretty penny here trying to get full off the HH menu. The drinks here are another story. They are very very delicious and handcrafted by friendly bartenders. The drink prices are also very reasonable for these strong libations. I had perhaps one of the best mint julips ever here. Crushed ice clung to the outside of the glass and little sprigs of mint were garnished on top. Couple that with the view and sitting in the utter lap of luxury... You too will feel like you stepped into the world of Gatsby.

Marko M.

My wife and I went on date last night to 53, and it was a excellent experience all the way. Service and food was great. Its pricy but worth it. We will go there again for sure. If you go there on Friday you can see fireworks at 7:45pm.

Midori C.

The food was really excellent except my fillet mignon was a tad well done. The escargot was superb, the shrimp scampi was delicious, the lasagna was perfect and the fruitti dimare was very tasteful. We were all very happy and satisfied with our food. The service we received were fantastic. We had Beckie and Beldon. They really took care of us and made sure we are having a great experience. Beckie was very pleasant, helpful and sweet. You definitely want her to take care of you. I will definitely go back again and also recommend friends to come here.

Aulii H.

If you have tons of money, this place is worth a visit. Lucky for me, someone else paid the bill. I was there for a birthday dinner, with reservations at sunset. The view is beautiful. You can see Diamond Head and Waikiki as the sun goes down. As we were looking at the menu, the lights were dimmed dramatically, which kind of disoriented us for a little bit. For appetizers we had the crab cakes, which are like cute little balls of crabby goodness. We also had the jumbo shrimp cocktail, which was really jumbo, but we could tell it was the frozen kind. It was still okay. The last appetizer was the stuffed mushroom escargot. Like other people said, this was the best choice. The sauce has a nice, full flavor, a little spicy, and not too overwhelming. Neither of us got any salad or soup so no review on that. I had the fettuccine, which I liked. The others had the ribeye, the ribeye with lobster, the lamb, the mushroom risotto and the sea bass. The biggest complaint was that we couldn't tell that it was a whole lobster because it was so tiny looking. They also shell it for you before playing so we never saw the lobster as a whole. I tasted the ribeye, and I thought it was good. I heard the risotto was good, but the guy that had the sea bass said he didn't like it and called it tilapia. He didn't even eat half and didn't take it home either. Also, the lamb was a little to rare for the birthday boys liking. For dessert we got the free birthday shortcake, the complimentary pineapple tart to make up for the rate lamb, the chocolate cake, tiramisu, and creme brûlée. It was all delicious. The only problem was that the tiramisu has way to much espresso in it for my personal taste. We also had the lemoncello and this pear bourbon or something with a whole pear in the bottle. The service was just okay considering it wasn't busy, and they only have valet parking which kind of sucks but hey, you're supposed to bring lots of money to eat here right? Why skimp on the parking? I would go here again if someone else pays, but only because there is no way I can afford to eat here on my own dime. Definitely a consideration for a super special occasion that I wouldn't mind saving my money for.

Nicole F.

This is the first yelp review I have ever given and 53 by the Sea is very deserving of it. I have eaten at this restaurant multiple times since moving to Oahu. Each time I have taken a different group of friends and everyone always has the same opinion as I have had with each dining experience here, "It is absolutely fantastic"! Not only is the food always exceptional but the staff is too. I will continue to frequent 53 by the sea as it is by far my favorite restaurant on the island!

Karen C.

Reading Yelp reviews before coming here made me very hesitant because too many people say the food is just okay and not worthwhile for the price. Come for lunch, come for lunch, come for lunch. It's cheaper and the view/ambience is the best during the day! Myth busters: * There are no flies in the restaurant. * Service is good. * View IS spectacular and the restaurant is very high class and clean. White and creme colored theme. Yellow rose on the tables for lunch. * IS surrounded by homeless tents, but not like 100x more than what u normally see. You see tents all around the city. Can find some at south king street too. So the tents around the place aren't a big deal nor a security threat. * FOOD WAS GOOD! Had the pesto shrimp scampi pasta and it was yummy. The mushroom chicken is VERY good. They even do a vegetarian option that my mother really likes. Free bread before the meal with lilikoi butter! :D I think it was $20 per person for lunch for the entire meal: bread, bite sized tasting dish, an entree, and ice cream dessert. VERY filling! Good sized portions! (Menu isn't huge) COME DURING THE DAYYYYYYY CAN'T STRESS THIS ENOUGH!

Kalani S.

This place was not to our expectations. With all the great reviews of this new Italian seafood restaurant we expected to have the best tasting Seafood as well as pasta. Below are some of our thoughts on the food we ordered. Pros: Homemade Lasagna very original and tasty, they added a Benedict style egg on top and highly recommended. Roasted Colorado Lamb was a bit on the salty side but no gamey flavor and very well cooked. Cons: We ordered the 53 seafood platter and only to realize that the sashimi was not firm with a 2 day old flavor as well as the lobster that came with it. The Escargot had more cheese and olive oil flavor which over powered the taste of the escargot. Less is more on this dish. The wine selection is one of the most reasonable priced than many other restaurants, they don't over charge and they do have a sommelier to help you choose your wines.

Amanda A.

This place is absolutely beautiful. I brought my boyfriend here for his birthday and we were both taken back. You walk in and its just beautiful. We have never been the couple to sit side by side but this is how they have you sit here and this is the place to do it. It is so elegant and romantic. The staff was very attentive and willing to take pictures for us. Our food was fantastic, it was definitely a dining experience. For my boyfriends birthday they brought our a complimentary dessert which was phenomenal. The only thing I can say was that we both noticed how fishy the oysters were. When ordering a $50 appetizer we expected it to be top notch. I could barely get one down it was so fishy. All in all though it was a great experience and we had a lovely evening.

Rissa K.

Love this place! Probably one of the most beautiful and classy restaurant ever in Hawaii! This is located where the old John Dominis used to be. This place is great for seafood and American classic dining. The ambiance is great here and also the service! The view is spectacular as well! You can see view of Diamond Head from this restaurant and on Friday evenings you can catch the fireworks at 7:45pm from Hilton Hawaiian Village. We came here for Happy Hour and they have a great happy hour menu! Great drink specials too!

Nadine N.

After reading about this place on yelp, I decided to give it a try. I took my family here for a Mother's Day lunch. It was a little sketchy at first, driving past a lot of homeless tents, but the restaurant itself is beautiful. We got there a little early (1/2 hour, actually) for our 12:00 reservation, but they graciously took us in at 11:30. Every table had a great ocean view. We were seated near one of the doors, which happened to be open a little. I asked the waiter if he could close it since it was pretty breezy. He very kindly closed the door and then went about taking our orders. A few minutes later, a guy at the next table opens the door up again, sending a gust of wind my way. He looks at me and asks, "Too much?". Whatever, dude. So now I have to go through my meal in a windstorm, not to mention the wandering fly or occasional bug. And did I mention that it was more than a little breezy? But I digress. None of that is the restaurants fault. The meal came with an amuse-bouche, entreé, and dessert. All were pretty good. I had the herb-crusted salmon with a creamy horseradish sauce and pea pureé, which was really good. I was originally going to order the mushroom chicken, but changed my order at the last minute since both my mom and grandma were ordering it. Dessert was a delicious raspberry sorbet with a drizzle of mango coulis. Out waiter was really nice, but was a little slow with service. We sat down at 11:30 and didn't end up leaving until 1:30. I didn't expect to have a 2 hour lunch. However, I have to give this place credit for handing out a lovely pink rose and extra slice of cake to all of the mothers. Overall, this place is a pretty good find. Nice views of the ocean and Diamond Head. Oh yeah, and they had really cool Japanese-style toilets. You know, the ones with the heated toilet seats and bidets...

Irene G.

The hubby took me here for my birthday a few months back and I was not impressed. The location and ambiance is nice for a date night or special occasion but the food itself isn't that good. Atmosphere - They have a variety of tables and booths. It's a bit awkward. He made a reservation for 7:30 about two weeks in advance and requested to sit near the window. We were not seated until 8:10 or so. So much for making a reservation :( It kind of feels like you're on a boat because the whole time you look out the window you can see the water so that was kind of cool. The tables was really small and we were forced to sit next to each other as opposed to across from each other as that's the way the table was set up. There were booths along the wall and even those tables seemed a bit small. Food - We ordered salad, soup, and we each got a dish. I think the best part of the meal was my soup! The entrees we got were very tasteless. I don't know if they were trying to be health conscious but it could definitely have used a little more salt and pepper to say the least. Service - The service was good and friendly. They would clear your plate quickly and refill your water so it wouldn't do down more than 1/2 the cup. Overall, this place is ok. Probably wont be returning.

Brandon Y.

Really nice environment and structure. Great food, service, and view. On the pricier side, but worth it. And free valet.

C G.

I love this restaurant! This place is so beautiful. My boyfriend and I went here for our anniversary lunch. He surprised me and I thought the place was breath taking. I would like to come here again. Plus the price was so reasonable.

Sheldon K.

The first time I went to this restaurant, I was blown away. The second time I went, I was amazed... But the third time, I was let down. It's not the service, ambiance, nor the view... It was the food that lost the fifth star. I realized the food didn't taste the same and the price went up, when I went for the third time. Then I found out the Italian cuisine executive chef left and they hired a French cuisine executive chef. It changed the menu and taste drastically for the worst. The menu wasn't friendly for a member in your group that doesn't eat seafood, but wants to join you. Finally, the food just doesn't taste the same... I know the cuisine changed, but it didn't get better or stay the same; it got worst. When I spend my money like on a place like this, I expect the total package (awesome food, service and ambiance).

Jesse C.

I was disappointed by almost everything but the food service. We made reservation for a private room. The view was beautiful and we could see the Friday night fireworks. They would only allow us to choose a pre-fix menu. Between the two choices, we could only choose ONE for the entire party of 20. (I don't see why we can't choose different things. We're paying for one check.) The food was unseasoned and portions were lacking. We left hungry and unsatisfied. This is not a value meal but more of a tourist trap. Proceed with caution. Highly recommend avoid all together.

Carol L.

Fine dining but no stuffy. Impeccable service. Awesome views! Great wine list! Dinner: Escargot stuffed mushrooms Seafood stew Mushroom Risotto Excellent! Just go. You wont be disappointed! =)

Angela R.

My wonderful husband decided to surprise me with a dinner for our fourth wedding anniversary. He secretly made a reservation and shared with the reservation taker that we would be celebrating our wedding anniversary. Having a baby and super busy lives it was almost impossible to make this happen. Somehow my husband pulled strings and found care for our daughter and we were on our way. So the impossible dinner became possible. As we pulled up to the front, the wonderful valet parked our dusty Honda Civic in a jungle of BMW's, Mercedes, and Range Rovers. The 2 valet parking attendants were nice and welcoming and we were excited for our dinner! When one of the valet attendants opened the grand door for us and we were blown away by marble staircase. We took some mandatory pics on the staircase, checked in with the hostess, and checked out the restrooms (nice btw!). My husband and I were greeted and seated fairly quickly. The service from the server was good but I wasn't blown away with the service. She was friendly and informative and answered all of our questions about the food but did not go beyond her call of duty and nothing stood out. Absolutely nothing was stellar about the service. Although it was good, when I fine dine I expect an extra degree of service not regular kine service. The bread was nothing to rave about but it was nice that they offered 3 types of breads. However, I thought maybe the establishment should just work on making one very awesome bread for customers to remember. We ordered a bottle of white wine, seafood sampler for two, pan seared ahi, and clam risotto. The seafood sampler was a good starter for my husband and I. The seafood was nice and fresh. It came with a "special" cocktail sauce which tasted plain cocktail sauce. The honey mustard was different and a pleasant surprise. The seared ahi was small and tasted typical nothing fancy. Last, the clam risotto was hard.. Excuse me but you can try boil the rice a bit more next time and maybe add more cheese? I didn't want to hurt my hubby's feelings for the great effort he put into our anniversary dinner but I had to tell him the dinner experience its self was "meh". That was when he explained that when he made the reservations he told the person on the line that it was our anniversary BUT we not one person acknowledged it. A little annoyed, I decided to call the next day to find how we were missed. The following day I called to ask if they recognize people who are celebrating special occasions. The person who answered the phone said that people who celebrate special occasions receive a complementary dessert. So, I explained how we were not acknowledged. She checked and found that it was noted in the books but was that information was not transferred to their daily reservation list (whatever that is). The girl on the line said it was her mistake and that she was sorry. Maybe I'm being dramatic but I seriously thought "thats all"???? I didn't expect a free meal or anything. I secretly wished that she would have tried harder with her apology by possibly inviting us back for lunch and she would give us our anniversary dessert at that time or something but NOTHING. 53 by the Sea, I suggest you ask your customers when they arrive for their reservation if they are celebrating something special. After all, we do not spend $150-$200 dollars on dinner very often. When we dine at your establishment it is a special occasion. That way you do not mess up another persons anniversary dinner. Is it wrong that I had high expectations of you? The valet was great (4), the food and waitress was ok(3), and the hostess made a huge mistake(0)! = 2 stars.

Rod U.

A disappointment. High quality banquet food served in a beautiful dining space boasting fantastic ocean views. Excellent use of locally sourced ingredients. This is not a true contemporary fine dining restaurant. Dishes are designed to be visually stimulating and stand alone as if it were designed specifically for a banquet: - dishes are prettied up with inedible (tea leaves) or meaningless (half lemon with a veal chop) garnish, - hot mains are served with cold, fresh, "salad" on the same plate. For starters, the escargot stuffed mushrooms that so many have raved about are very good. Different from most; served in an acidic tomato cream sauce that works well. Bizarre garnish (thin sliced baguette). It is impossible to balance a mushroom on it and eating it on the side does not add any textural contrast. Pastas are very well made. Toothsome and flavorful. The linguine with veg medley is visually stunning and good eats. The addition of capers and anchovy take the veg to another level. The fettuccine with Italian sausage and mushrooms is over sauced but delicious with sweet porky goodness blending well with the earthy mushrooms and pecorino cheese. The only disappointment is the spaghettini frutti di mare. Over cooked, rubbery scallop and squid in an over reduced, cloying, arrabiata sauce. Mains are the downfall. The overcooked, grilled opakapaka served on a huge pile of Okinawa sweet potato pure, garnished by inedible okra and a sea asparagus salad is unique. Visually impressive but one dimensional in texture and the flavor combination... NO. The grilled veal chop is a joke. Over cooked then topped with slices of cold prosciutto and served along a hot stuffed tomato and cold arugula. The lack of deep beef flavor hints to the veal being pen raised. While I believe PETA = People Eating Tasty Animals, I squirm at the thought of the inhumane treatment of our food (off my soapbox now). Well chosen but short wine list. Fair prices. No doubt that 53 by the Sea would host an incredible wedding banquet or convention dinner. As a restaurant, it disappoints.

Janice C.

We were stunned by the interior of this place since it's unexpected judging from the outside - the location of the restaurant is kind of out of place. The food was good but not excellent, you come here more for the environment (with an ocean view). Service was great too!

Rise D.

OMG...FIVE STARS all around for 53 by the Sea! My friend and I went here for happy hour and we're definitely going back. Free valet parking, professional and warm staff, half off pupus on the menu, very clean, delicious food, and not to mention the gorgeous view! I was really amazed at everything, including the wait staff who used tongs to place straws into drinks and the super clean and high tech bathroom...the toilets had heated seats! How did I not know about this place before?! Such a perfect place for happy hour or a date. Can't wait to go back!

Aldina A.

This was a good place to go have dinner. Not only was the service awsome but the drinks were amazing!! Its right on the water so the view is great, the servers are always checking up on you, they even get the door for you on your way out! It is a little expensive but its worth it :)

Karen D.

Take one huge, elegantly appointed facility, add two pints of fabulous seaside view, a cup and a half of good food, a generous pinch of attentive service and you have 53 by the Sea. Located at the site of the former John Dominis location in Kaka'ako, 53 by the Sea is a respectable newcomer to the Honolulu fine dining scene. The menu is a classical preparation of Italian-inspired surf and turf--not innovative, but adequately polished. The first thing you notice about this location is that it really stands out--from the neighbors, that is. Located at the end of a street that is mostly brownfield and homeless encampment, the building is impressive. As you pass through the massive portals, you are greeted with a sweeping marble staircase, ornate wrought iron, and gold chandelier. However, unless you're there as part of a large group, you probably won't get to ascend those fabulous stairs to the private banquet facility on the second floor. That's OK because the table arrangement on the first floor places diners next to a glass wall overlooking Ala Moana and Waikiki to Diamond Head--just sitting in the dining room makes you feel like a VIP. Our group tried both "surf" and "turf" and were satisfied. Apart from a couple of slight bobbles by the waitstaff, service was very good, although food was very slow coming out from the kitchen. It's almost forgivable, though, as it allows the diner to enjoy an unhurried, sumptuous dining experience (with lavish prices to match). Free valet service is also a nice touch. 53 by the Sea is a good choice for a romantic meal or for a business deal when you really want to impress someone. If you can, go before sundown to take full advantage of the stunning ocean view. Yelp 365 Challenge 224/365

Monthakan B.

I dont know why this place has such bad reviews :\ We went there last night (1/17/13) and had an awesome time celebrating the BF Bday! Our rez was at 5:45PM, we showed up early and was seated right away :) Our servers was Beckie and Scott and they both were awesome!! We ordered the 53 SF platter and Cold Lobster w/Nalo Greens for Appertizer, it was very good. For Entree, we both had the Specials of the day: UKU and MOI. It was DELISH!!! Their drinks selections were pretty good too. The BF really enjoyed the cocktails and I absolutely LOVED the Pear Matini. (Not on a menu but they can make one for you!) Best pear martini ever! Thanks, Scott for that! And the complimentary Bday dessert was sooooo good! First time eating Poha Berry! Was delish :) Cant wait to go back!

Vince B.

"Fifty Three by The Sea" is one class act. I loved it ! I have a feeling that our recent lunch there was the first of many lunches to come at 53 by The Sea. This was a great meal for $20 and a surprise of the nicest kind. A one of a kind Five Star prix fixe fine dining lunch special that is not likely to be topped in this city. yelp.com/biz_photos/LEmN… In fact, I can't wait to go back for dinner and experience 53 by The Sea during the evening when the lights are dimmed. I would also like to experience the bar area (inside and out) and enjoy the music. Location Location: "53 by The Sea" replaced the legendary John Dominis Restaurant which opened about 1979. Only us "senior" Yelpers ever got to experience John Dominis in it's prime. It was quite a place in it's day. In recent years it was declining a bit as everyone knew the plans were to close it. But, the location was and is completely amazing. Kakaako Waterfront looking towards Diamond Head with a good view of the HHV fireworks on friday nights. Constant parade of boats entering and leaving the Harbor. Beautiful. Similar concept: So "53 by The Sea" kept the ocean view restaurant idea and continued and enhanced the wedding chapel side business which caters mostly to Japanese visitors. However, they switched the restaurant theme to Italian. Italian, yes, but they do seem to emphasize seafood to a degree. "53 by The Sea" also increases the level of the "fine dining" experience from the previous restaurant. Fine Dining: It seems that the definition of "fine dining" has evolved over time. Most current "fine dining" restaurants offer bits and pieces of the total experience. "53 by The Sea" does well at finding a happy medium. Although I can be completely independent and don't mind getting my own water, so I don't get scolded by the "AKL"...LOL!, I can never experience enough special treatment when it is offered while dining. Lunch Specials: Lunch's are all based on this prix fixe menu and include the appetizer cart, entree and set dessert or sorbet. Wine list and bar is available. Iced tea and coffee are included. Prices from $19 to $32. Soup of the day available at $8. That is the only option. Quality: Very nice selection of anti-pasta appetizers. Prosciutto and sausage that was thinly sliced. A turkey salad plus a grilled eggplant salad and crostini with tomato. Two types of warm bread were also included. We tried two different entrees. Daughter tried the Homemade Fettuccine with Sausage and Tomato Sauce. She said it was perfect. She liked the noodles and the sauce. She said that it plus the appetizers were probably the best things she had ever eaten!! yelp.com/biz_photos/LEmN… My wife and I both picked the "Sauteed fresh catch fish with seafood stew" based on the waiter's suggestion. Sauteed fish plus squid, clams and shrimp in a spicy tomato sauce. We both enjoyed this a lot. The flavors were perfectly balanced. yelp.com/biz_photos/LEmN… Much more than a simple generic italian sauce. 5 Stars from each of us as these were great dishes. Dessert: c'est bon: yelp.com/biz_photos/LEmN… Service: Waiter was experienced, friendly, helpful and efficient. Cloth napkins placed on the lap for all customers. Excess dishes removed quickly. Small bowl placed to receive shells from seafood stew. Bread crumbs removed from the table with a little scraper. All requests dealt with immediately. Waiter and staff left diners to eat in peace once everything was set. Management visible and helped serve the food quickly once the entree's were ready. There was one "hiccup" during our dining experience. It was handled quickly and professionally and as a result I won't mention it. Just like in life...unexpected things happen to us all. It is how one responds that is important. These guys are good! Value: Lunch is an amazing value. Where else will you find a $19 all inclusive meal at an ocean front Italian Villa with a view of Diamond Head. Dinner is prix fixe or ala carte and of course much more expensive. This review is for the Lunch Menu. Wine List: I'm not qualified to critique the wine list but it looked well thought out to me. I tried a humble glass of Italian Pinot Grigio. At $8 it was the least expensive wine listed but it was excellent. In fact, it was so good I had another glass! If the cheapest glass of humble wine is this good.....I hope Kalani C. gets a chance to eat here and talk to the sommelier. He can fill us in on the wine list.

Adam B.

Great atmosphere, outstanding view and good food. The seafood platter had tasty crab and lobster but the sashimi was low quality. Oysters were delicious. Had the rack of Lamb and it was good but nothing special. Worth going back for the food/atmosphere combo but not just for the food only.

Raych D.

*HONESTLY...I REALLY WANTED TO LIKE THIS PLACE, BUT WAS DISAPPOINTED* Let's begin: Called a few days before Christmas to make rsvp on Christmas night but the hostess said "we are completely booked, we are no longer taking reservations but you can come to our bar area and order there with first come, first serve basis"..of course I was disappointed but me and the bf did just that. We came there last night around 8:15pm last night (Christmas day), parked on the street, checked in and got a seat at the bar, hoping to get a table a little after 9pm which the hostess said "after our 9pm reservations we could probably fit you in which was fine but after looking around at the dining table and all those empty tables not being used for more than half an hour, we both got so annoyed so the bf talked to the manager to see if we could get a table soon. Although both our bartender were very nice to us, we just wanted the fine dining experience in the dining room area especially when there were so many empty tables not being used. Luckily we got a table around 9:15pm...after an hour of waiting and hearing the manager say "it'll be a few minutes for your table" LIES! I honestly don't understand what the point of those Asian dudes in those tight suits are for because majority of the time all they did was walk around to who knows where. Our waiter was good and professional...just a little slow in getting our bread and food. Busers as well were good BUT when we asked for more of the sweet bread he DID NOT deliver. I mean seriously it's not so hard to get us another basket of bread when it wasn't that busy. Food: Excellent! We got the ($30) seafood showcase appetizer which comes with half a lobster, seared scallops, fresh poke, crab and hamachi sashimi...really fresh and good portion for two. For our entrees I got the opakapaka with Okinawan sweet potato ($30) which was soo good! I ate it all up, regardless of the small portion. As for the bf he got the 8oz rib-eye with side of rice ($35 +$3). He said his rib-eye was good, but it had to much fat on it and the vegetables was literally only 4 small pieces of carrots, string beans and a broccolli...for his sauce he got the wine reduction..I will say that it was a good portion steak with the price he paid. We opted to skip dessert because nothing Wow'd us. I will say that the Moscato wine they carry is awesome! And they carried this white owl Japanese beer. I didn't get a chance to check the bathroom out but the front entrance stairwell was insanely nice! Bottom line: Good food, Nice fancy ambiance & great view...But slow and lame service! Yes, I get that it was Christmas night but it wasn't that busy and for them to keep us waiting at the bar with open tables not being used was a NO NO. And making us wait a while for our bread, food and check was not cool.

Richard Y.

The food was above average. Most memorable dish for me was the crab, Rich and tasty. Sautéed mushrooms was one of the best I've tasted.

Kyle H.

The good: Good food, service, and views The bad: Valet only, prices are a bit high The fiancee and I went to 53 by The Sea a few weeks ago for her birthday. This was our first visit to this new Italian restaurant that took over the former John Dominis location. That being said, it is a given that this restaurant will have great views, but more on that later. This first thing you'll notice as you pull up to the restaurant is how it looks like a European manor. The building is very imposing and features a fountain and an oversized doorway. Upon entering, you'll first notice a large, grand staircase as the European manor/palace theme continues inside. The host stand is off to the right of the staircase. Beyond the staircase is the dining room with magnificent floor to ceiling windows. What surprised me the most, though, was the size of the dining room. It is TINY considering its size compared to the overall building. There is, however, a large bar and an impressive wine case. The atmosphere here is a tad on the formal side, with elegant table settings and formalwear clad waitstaff. Noise levels can be a bit loud, but is overall pleasant. Service is also professional and courteous. In fact, when I asked for a recommendation on my appetizer, our waiter didn't recommend the most expensive item and gave compelling reasons why to order each of his recommendations. So... for my appetizer, I ordered the arugula salad ($9). I wasn't that hungry to begin with and wanted to start with something small, so this was perfect. The nutty, peppery arugula went well with the light, lemony citrus red wine vinaigrette it was tossed in, tomatoes, and red onion. My fiancee ordered the night's special soup: a light saffron soup full of seafood ($10). She was very happy with her selection, though I didn't try any of it. We also split the Proscuitto & Pecorino plate ($20), which seemed overly expensive, but was really enough to feed 4! It came with Proscuitto, Sopresata, and Salami, and was garnished with Kalamata & green olives and young Pecorino Cheese over Pane Carasau. For our entrees, I ordered the By the Sea Spaghettinni Frutti di Mare ($26). This was a red sauce spaghettinni that usually comes spicy (but I ordered mild) topped with shrimp, scallop, crabmeat, clams, squid, and mussels. It was good, but a bit heavy. I also couldn't find any crabmeat. That being said, the dish was tasty with all components cooked well. That being said, I prefer the similar spaghetti alla pescatora at Arancino di Mare. It's a little more expensive ($29) in a not as nice atmosphere, but it has more seafood, so to me is a better value. My fiancee, on the other hand, ordered another special for her entree. She had moi filet cooked in browned butter and capers. This dish was EXCELLENT and I'd recommend you order this if it's available. The filet is served skin on, though the skin is crisped up very well. Thus, you get a great crunch from the skin, with super soft, moist meat. The brown butter adds a nice richness, while the capers add a nice brininess. The moi is served with roasted vegetables. For dessert, I ordered a mango sorbet ($8), which was good. My fiancee was given a sampler plate for her birthday, and her plate had the same sorbet in a lilikoi sauce and fruit. This was way better than the plain sorbet and I think they should serve the regular item in this way. Her plate also contained the tiramisu and lemon cream cake. i didn't try either, but she was happy with it. While I miss the John Dominis, 53 by the Sea is an acceptable replacement. The food and service are great, while the wine list is impressive. A larger menu selection would be appreciated. Would I return? Of course! Note: the one thing that hasn't changed from the John Dominis is the valet only parking...